The Perception of Substance Use Disorder Among Clinicians, Caregivers and Family Members of Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

2/8/2019 12:00:00 AM

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Authors: Joanne EL VanDerNagel, Neomi van Duijvenbode, Stephen Ruedrich, Astri P Ayu, Arnt FA Schellekens

Publication date: 31 Oct 2017

Volume: 2017

Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities

Link:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19315864.2017.1390712?journalCode=umid20

 

 

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Substance   use  disorders (SUD) are common among  individuals with intellectual  and  developmental dis- orders  (IDD). The quality of care individuals with these  con- ditions  receive  can  be  affected  by perceptions and attributions  of  SUD among   clinicians,  professional   care- givers, and  family members.  The aim  of this  study  was  to explore such perceptions and attributions.  Method: We con- ducted   a  web-based survey  using  snowball  sampling.  The Illness Perception  Questionnaire  Revised (IPQ-R) was used to assess  SUD perceptions and  attributions.  Our sample  con- sisted of 88 clinicians (53.3%), 58 caregivers (35.2%), and 19 adult family members (11.5%), mostly from the United States (73.3%). Results:  Respondents—especially  clinicians—indi- cated  having  a  clear  concept   of  the  nature  of  SUD. They recognize  that  SUD has  major  consequences for the  client, but  are  positive  about   the  influence  both  the  client  and treatment  can  have  on  its  course   and  outcome.   SUD is attributed  to  psychological  factors  (especially  so  by  clini- cians and professional  caregivers), including stress and wor- ries,  and   personality,   as  well  as  to  general   risk  factors, including hereditary and behavioral factors. Conclusion: According  to  our  respondents, SUD is a  serious  condition with major consequences, and a variety of potential  causes. Given the  high prevalence  of substance use in the  ID popu- lation, this calls for more attention for identification, preven- tion, and  treatment of SUD. This includes  improving  access to SUD treatment adapted to the  needs  of individuals with IDD, improving  coping  and  emotional  skills, and  promoting a fulfilling life with adequate social support.

 

KEYWORDS Intellectual and developmental disabilities; illness perception; substance use disorder