Intellectual disabilities and ACT: feasibility of a photography-based values intervention
| Pages | 11-21 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-07-2017-0028 |
| Published date | 02 January 2018 |
| Date | 02 January 2018 |
| Author | Natalie Elizabeth Boulton,Jonathan Williams,Robert S.P. Jones |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
Intellectual disabilities and ACT: feasibility
of a photography-based values
intervention
Natalie Elizabeth Boulton, Jonathan Williams and Robert S.P. Jones
Abstract
Purpose –There is limited evidence regarding clinical effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for people
with intellectual disabilities (ID). Previous research has highlighted challenges regarding adaptation of
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for people with ID. Central to ACT is a focus on living in
congruence with individual core values. The concept of values is abstract and difficult for people with a limited
verbal understanding to comprehend, and yet this approach holds much promise for people with ID.
The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach –The current study outlines the adaptations undertaken to facilitate
making the concept of values more accessible to people with ID. It also explores the feasibility of the adapted
approach to the values component.
Findings –This trial has shown that it is possible to isolate a single component of ACT and adapt it for use
with people with ID. The findings highlight the potential feasibility of a value-based approach for people with ID
augmented through the use of participant-produced photography to enhance conceptual understanding of
the values component of ACT.
Research limitations/implications –Findings were reliant on self-report data, which may result in
inaccurate reporting and may be influenced by social demands. Given the diverse and unique presentations
of people with ID, the inclusion and exclusion criteria limits the extent to which the current findings may be
generalised to people with ID more widely.
Practical implications –Participant-produced photography may be directly applied to clinical practice, with
implied benefits of improving access to, and meaningful engagement with psychological therapies for people
with ID. Development of (and ability to articulate) a readily available and easily accessible values system,
during times of adversity, represents a key implication arising from the current trial.
Originality/value –Thecurrent study shows that people with intellectualdisability can be helpedto appreciate
abstract concepts suchas personal core values. It also shows the potential to work through the medium of
personalphotography to explorethe feasibility of the adaptedapproach to the valuescomponent –potentiallya
logical preliminary step towards an ACT-ID evidencebase. To the authors’knowledge, thisnovel approach is
the first of its kind in the ID literature.
Keywords Values, Learning disabilities, Intellectual disabilities, ACT, Feasibility study,
Participant-produced photography
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Mental health issues are widely reported amongst people with intellectual disabilities (ID).
Although procedural difficulties and limitations amongst studies have made the determination of
co-morbid rates difficult (Whitaker and Read, 2006), research over the last decade has
consistently shown a higher prevalence amongst people with ID in comparison to the general
population (Matson and Matson, 2015; Osugo and Cooper, 2016). Despite this, robust empirical
evidence regarding therapeutic interventions for people with ID remains limited.
Equitable access to psychological support is important for people with ID. Yet, many traditional
therapeutic approaches rely on a person’s ability to verbally articulate emotional experiences.
Received 4 July 2017
Revised 26 October 2017
5 November 2017
Accepted 7 November 2017
The authors would like to thank
Neil Clapton for his support with
delivering the “Catching What
Matters”intervention.
Natalie Elizabeth Boulton is a
Trainee Clinical Psychologist at
the North Wales Clinical
Psychology Programme,
School of Psychology, Bangor
University, Bangor, UK.
Jonathan Williams is a Senior
Clinical Psychologist at the
Denbighshire Complex
Disabilities Team, Betsi
Cadwaladr University Health
Board, North Wales, UK.
Robert S.P. Jones is the
Programme Director at the
North Wales Clinical
Psychology Programme,
School of Psychology, Bangor
University, Bangor, UK.
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-07-2017-0028 VOL. 12 NO. 1 2018, pp.11-21, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
j
ADVANCESIN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
PAGE11
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