ABSTRACT Background This cross‐sectional study examined whether mindfulness moderated the association of affiliate stigma with depressive symptoms among mothers and fathers of children with moderate to severe intellectual disability. Methods Questionnaire data were collected from 194 mothers and 182 fathers (55% and 47% of those aged between 41 and 50 years, respectively) from 233 families with children with moderate to severe intellectual disability (mean age = 10.55 years; 27% female) from Hong Kong, China. Results Regression analyses revealed that affiliate stigma was less strongly associated with depressive symptoms among more mindful mothers and fathers. Conclusions Findings highlighted the relevance of stigma to understanding the depressive symptoms of parents of children with intellectual disability and the potential utility of targeting mindfulness to support these parents.
ABSTRACT Background Adults with intellectual disabilities and forensic histories often experience prolonged hospital stays and delayed discharge, yet evidence on how forensic pathways support safe and timely transition to the community remains limited. Method A qualitative, multi‐perspective study was conducted within a large healthcare organisation in England. Semi‐structured interviews and focus groups were undertaken with service users ( n = 11), family members/carers ( n = 5), and multidisciplinary staff ( n = 18), alongside two co‐production workshops with 92 professionals. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Discharge was experienced as a cyclical and unstable process rather than a linear event. Three interrelated themes emerged: (1) establishing readiness and foundations for continuity, (2) maintaining coordination and coherence across the care trajectory, and (3) sustaining community living while preventing re‐entry into institutional care. Conclusions Supporting safe and sustainable discharge requires continuity‐focused integrated pathways beginning at admission and extending beyond discharge to reduce repeated cycles of admission.
ABSTRACT Background This meta‐analysis examined the effects of physical activity interventions on body composition among students with intellectual disabilities in Korea and whether intervention characteristics explained differences in effects. Methods A total of 21 studies yielding 76 effect sizes were synthesized using a multilevel random‐effects meta‐analysis with a correlated and hierarchical effects model and CR2 robust variance estimation. Results Physical activity interventions produced a significant small‐to‐moderate positive effect on body composition (Hedges' g = 0.403, 95% CI = [0.209–0.597], p < 0.001), with significant heterogeneity. Categorical and continuous moderators were nonsignificant. Sensitivity analyses supported the positive effect, although the RCT‐specific estimate was less precise and heterogeneous. GRADE certainty was low for both RCT and non‐randomized evidence. Conclusions Physical activity appears beneficial for body composition, but the low certainty of evidence and lack of significant moderators preclude identification of a consistently superior intervention profile. Further rigorous research is needed to clarify optimal intervention characteristics.
ABSTRACT Background Individuals with intellectual disabilities are increasingly involved in providing care and support to other individuals with intellectual disabilities: promoting their participation within work and helping to address staff shortages. This study explored the opportunities associated with engaging these peer carers and the facilitators and barriers that impact upon these opportunities. Method Interviews were conducted with seven peer carers and 15 professionals in the Netherlands and analysed using a general inductive approach. Results Opportunities for peer carers (fulfilment, social connection, self‐confidence), professionals (reduced work pressure), and service users (increased activities, trusted faces) were identified. Five key themes related to facilitators and barriers (tailored support, clear agreements and communication, role definition, individual characteristics, supportive policies) were found to influence the extent to which these opportunities could be realised. Conclusions Peer carers working within intellectual disability care offer valuable opportunities, but realising these opportunities requires support, clear role definition, and organisational embedding.
Background Intellectual disability (ID) constitutes a major neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), arising from diverse genetic and environmental aetiologies. Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by CGG repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene, is one of the most common inherited causes of ID and autism. Aim In Morocco, FMR1 molecular screening data are currently not available. This study provides the first characterisation of FMR1 mutations in Moroccan patients with nonsyndromic ID (NS-ID). Methods One hundred children and adolescents (75 boys and 25 girls) were tested using AmplideX PCR/CE FMR1 Kit based on fluorescent triplet-primed PCR (TP-PCR) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) to determine CGG repeat sizes. Results A total of 92% of individuals (23 females and 69 males) carried an FMR1 allele within the normal CGG repeat range (< 44 repeats), two of which were diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome (KS). Two females (2%) presented intermediate alleles (45-54 repeats), both with 53 repeats. Six full-mutation males (6%) were identified with CGG repeats > 200. Conclusion As the first molecular screening initiative targeting FXS in high-risk patients, our results demonstrate the utility of testing in this population highlighting the importance of future multicentre studies.
