Transformers: a programme for people with an intellectual disability and emotion regulation difficulties
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-06-2014-0009 |
| Pages | 178-188 |
| Date | 08 December 2014 |
| Published date | 08 December 2014 |
| Author | Jenna McWilliams,Ian de Terte,Janet Leathem,Sandra Malcolm,Jared Watson |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities,Offending behaviour |
Transformers: a programme for people
with an intellectual disability and
emotion regulation difficulties
Jenna McWilliams, Ian de Terte, Janet Leathem, Sandra Malcolm and Jared Watson
Jenna McWilliams is Clinical
Psychologist, Dr Ian de Terte
is Senior Lecturer and
Janet Leathem is Professor of
Neuropsychology, all at the
Department of Psychology,
Massey University, Wellington,
New Zealand.
Sandra Malcolm is Consultant
Clinical Psychologist and
Jared Watson is Senior Clinical
Psychologist, both at the
Mental Health ID Team,
Te Korowai Whariki, Porirua,
New Zealand.
Abstract
Purpose – The Transformersprogramme is a community-based intervention for people with an intellectual
disability (ID) who have emotion regulation difficulties, which can manifest as aggressive and challenging
behaviour. The programme was adapted from the Stepping Stones programme (Oxnam and Gardner,
2011) – an emotion regulation programme for offenders with an ID who live in an inpatient setting.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of the Transformers programme that has been
implemented at an ID service, which provides secure and supervised care to people who have been
convicted of an imprisonable offence or have high and complex behaviour needs.
Design/methodology/approach – The Transformers programme is delivered in weekly sessions over
a six-month period in a group format. The focus is onhelping group members to develop skills in recognising
and understanding negative emotions and learning skills to cope effectively with such emotions. Treatment
covers a variety of modules including relaxation, goal setting, chain analysis, emotion recognition, and
emotion regulation. Specific strategies used include role-plays, DVDs, and quizzes.
Findings – This paper presents the rationale, developmental history,and description of a specific approach
to the treatment of emotion regulation difficulties.
Originality/value – The paper aims to inform health professionals working in the field of ID.
Keywords Cognitive-behaviour therapy, Transformers programme, Intellectual disabilities,
Challenging behaviour, Emotion regulation, Group treatment
Paper type Technical paper
There are many definitions for emotional regulation, but the most widely accepted is
“the processes by which individuals influence which emotions they have when they have them,
and how they experience and express these emotions” (Gross, 1998, p. 275). This definition
suggests that individuals use processes to regulate their emotions, such as behavioural or
cognitive strategies. In order for people to regulate emotions they need to be able to identify and
recognise their emotions (Linehan, 1993). Given that people use cognitive and behavioural
strategies to manage their emotions, it is perhaps unsurprising that people with an intellectual
disability (ID) display deficits in recognising and regulating their emotions. Evidence shows that
people with an ID have access to a limited range of coping strategies and the types of strategies
that they use to regulate their emotions are not always effective (Benson and Fuchs, 1999;
Jahromi et al., 2008). Clinical evidence has suggested that people with an ID can have emotional
regulation difficulties, which lead to aggressive behaviour or other unwanted consequences.
An emotional regulation programme for people with an ID seems an important adjunct to the
treatment regime for those with emotion regulation difficulties.
Oxnam and Gardner (2011) described the Stepping Stones programme; an emotion regulation
programme designed to address the needs of individuals with ID who have committed a criminal
offence. The Stepping Stones programme is delivered in an inpatient setting over a 42-week
The authors would like to thank
Paul Oxnam for his assistance with
the preparation of this manuscript.
The authors also wish to
acknowledge Rosanne Johnston
(Operations Manager, ID Services),
Michael Dorofaeff (Team Leader,
MHID team), Marc Tonkin (Clinical
Leader, Timata Hou), and Paul
Oxnam along with other individuals
within the ID sector who have been
supportive of the programme.
PAGE 178
j
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR
j
VOL. 5 NO. 4 2014, pp. 178-188, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8824 DOI 10.1108/JIDOB-06-2014-0009
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