Belonging and reciprocity amongst people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic methodological review

Understanding experiences of 'Gig Buddies': A befriending scheme for people with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

Research into befriending for people with intellectual disabilities is limited. This study aimed to explore the impact, mechanisms of change, and limitations of a befriending scheme for adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.

METHODS

Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Thirteen individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism were interviewed and data thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Four themes were generated: 'Something fun for me'; 'A good connection'; 'Increasing independence'; and 'A life less quiet'. Befriending had direct benefits through the activities undertaken and the befriending relationships themselves being fun and reducing isolation. Befriending facilitated belonging, improved access to mainstream activities, and fostered independence by providing safety and support. The importance of shared interests and external support for the relationship was highlighted.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive outcomes of befriending were found, supporting existing literature and revealing new information from the voices of participants with intellectual disabilities themselves.

The experiences of caring for someone with dementia and a learning disability: A qualitative systematic review

BACKGROUND

The life expectancy of people with a learning disability is increasing and with this comes a greater risk of developing dementia. Dementia poses new challenges for both family and formal learning disability carers as they try to support dementia's progressive nature and quality of life for their care recipient. This qualitative systematic review explores the evidence base of family and formal carers' experiences and needs of caring for someone with both a learning disability and dementia.

METHODS

Six electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Prospero, Scopus, CINAHL), were searched in May 2022, utilising a predefined search strategy. Thirteen papers fulfilled inclusion criteria and were included in in the review.

RESULTS

Thematic synthesis was used to explore and synthesise the qualitative findings of the studies. Four conceptual themes were identified following analysis: Knowledge and skills, Accessing support, Repercussions of dementia for carers, Influences of continuity of caring role.

CONCLUSION

There are significant training and educational needs for all carers who support the dual diagnosis of dementia and learning disability. Differences between family and formal carers relate to the organisational support and process available to formal carers. Parity across services combined with sufficiently trained carers may support dementia diagnosis and improve quality of care provided. Further research is needed to address environmental, and economic barriers carers face to facilitate ageing in place for their care recipients.

Researching belonging in the context of research with people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review of inclusive approaches

BACKGROUND

In disability studies belonging is emerging as a promising area of study. Inclusive research, based as it is on lived experience perspectives, is likely to provide salient insights into belonging in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

METHOD

A systematic review utilising four databases and five leading journals in the field of intellectual disabilities was used. Content analysis and a deductive synthesis of the extracted data was undertaken.

RESULTS

A high level of confluence was found between the findings of the included studies and key themes of belonging identified in the wider literature. Beyond this, studies utilising inclusive research approaches have contributed novel findings about belonging in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Inclusive research approaches to belonging may provide innovative and responsive frameworks to support people to develop a sense of being connected and "at home" in themselves and in their communities.

Couples with intellectual disability where one partner has dementia – a scoping review exploring relationships in the context of dementia and intellectual disability

Relationships and marriages between couples with intellectual disability are to be celebrated, as is the longer life expectancy now enjoyed by many with intellectual disability. However, dementia disproportionately affects people with intellectual disability, especially people with Down's syndrome. Research into experiences of couples without intellectual disability who are affected by dementia suggests that a relational perspective provides health and social care professionals with information to support the wellbeing of both partners. This dyadic perspective is missing for couples with an intellectual disability where one partner has dementia. There is currently no evidence base informing how each partner may best be supported. This scoping review, with three separate searches, aims to address this gap. The first search sought to establish if any studies had explored the experiences of couples with intellectual disability where one partner has dementia. After determining that no studies have been published to date, the review explores what is known about relationships in the context of dementia (N = 8) and in the context of intellectual disability (N = 10), in second and third searches. Different ways to approach care and support in relationships among partners, staff and other family members were identified and it was evident that support could act as a facilitator as well as a barrier to people and their relationships. While the lives of couples affected by dementia appeared to remain largely private, couples with intellectual disability had a high involvement of staff and family members in their life. Potential implications for future research with couples with intellectual disability affected by dementia are discussed, highlighting the importance of exploring how couples navigate emotional complexities and changes in their relationship, while understanding that the context in which the lives of people with intellectual disability take place and relationships happen is different.