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ERIC Number: EJ1213477
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Jun
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1354-4187
EISSN: N/A
The Clinical Approach Used in Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disability Who Have Been Sexually Abused
O'Malley, Grace; Irwin, Lynn; Syed, Akhtar Ali; Guerin, Suzanne
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, v47 n2 p105-115 Jun 2019
Background: Although sexual abuse (SA) constitutes a significant problem in intellectual disability settings, little is known regarding how services support individuals with intellectual disability who have been abused. Method: Using a qualitative design, we explored how one voluntary community service, and in particular their psychology department, responded when people with intellectual disability presented with a clinical need regarding an abuse history. A collective case study was completed based on triangulated data from the clinical files of six individuals with intellectual disability, and based on nine interviews with individuals and/or informants (i.e., psychologists, staff) regarding the six cases. Results: Thematic analysis indicated psychology's and staff's role in delivering behavioural support and psychotherapy. Themes of trust, confidence and suggestibility are relevant to the therapeutic process in cases of abuse, while factors such as the attitudes of support providers may impact therapeutic engagement. Conclusions: In the absence of a sufficient evidence base in intellectual disability, there is little to guide clinicians working psychotherapeutically with the issue of SA and further research is crucial. While practitioners may perceive particular approaches to be helpful, caution is warranted and feedback from multiple stakeholders is an essential component of safe practice in instances of the delivery of an experimental approach.
Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2429/WileyCDA
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A