Kind minds: using the ‘compassionate kitbag’ in a compassion focused therapy group for adults with intellectual disabilities
| Date | 25 December 2023 |
| Pages | 25-37 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-07-2023-0024 |
| Published date | 25 December 2023 |
| Author | Andy Busfield,Charlotte Peters,Karen McKenzie |
Kind minds: using the ‘compassionate
kitbag’in a compassion focused therapy
group for adults with intellectual disabilities
Andy Busfield, Charlotte Peters and Karen McKenzie
Abstract
Purpose –This paper aims todescribe and evaluate the impact of a compassion-focusedtherapy (CFT)
group for adultswith intellectual disabilities (ID).
Design/methodology/approach –People with ID are commonlysubjected to stigmatising experiences
that can contribute to feelings of shame. CFT targets shame and self-criticism by helping people to
cultivateself-compassion. There is evidence to suggestthat CFT can be meaningfully adapted for people
with ID. Qualitativeand quantitative data were collectedusing a mixed-methods design,aiming to gain a
rich evaluation ofthe CFT group. Eight adults with ID were referredby their local community psychology
team. An 11-week groupprotocol was based on materials from previous research. The protocolincluded
the development of a ‘‘compassion box’’, aiming to make CFT concepts more concrete and tangible.
Questionnaires measuring psychological distress, self-compassion and negative social comparisons
were completed pre- and post-group. Feedback from participants and carers were collated and
facilitators’observations were recorded.
Findings –Questionnaire findings weremixed, and some participants found the measures difficult to
understand. Participants’ qualitative feedback and facilitators’ observations suggested that the group
created feelingsof safety and connectedness whilst facilitating engagementand action with shame and
self-criticism. Several participants highlighted the usefulness of the ‘’’compassion box’’, although some
barrierswere noted.
Originality/value –This paperprovides a rich description of how group CFTcan be adapted to meet the
needs of adults with ID andisthe first study of its kind,to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to evaluate
the incorporationof the ‘‘compassion box’’.
Keywords CFT, Compassion
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are more likely to experiencemental health difficulties
relative to the general population (Cooper et al., 2007;Hughes-McCormack et al., 2017)
with depression (Cooper et al.,2007) and anxiety (Reid et al.,2011) presenting most
frequently. Factors such as increased vulnerability to psychosocial threats and barriers to
accessing appropriate support from mental health services are likely to contributetowards
this difference.
The Equality Act (2010) outlines the requirement of services to provide reasonable
adjustments so that an individual with a disability is not disadvantaged compared with
someone without. There are some good examples of psychological interventions
being adapted for people with ID in the literature (Dagnan et al., 2015;Jahoda et al.,
2017). However, this is an area that needs further development across therapeutic
modalities.
Andy Busfield is based at
the HCRG Care Group,
Bath, UK. Charlotte Peters
is based at the University of
Bath, Bath, UK. Karen
McKenzie is based at the
HCRG Care Group, Bath,
UK.
Received 21 July 2023
Revised 17 October 2023
Accepted 28 November 2023
The authors expressour gratitude
to Dr Neil Clapton for sharing his
knowledge, expertise and
guidance.
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-07-2023-0024 VOL. 18 NO. 12024, pp. 25-37, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 jADVANCES IN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES jPAGE 25
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