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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 1/2007

01-01-2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Multiple exposure to life events and clinical psychopathology in adults with intellectual disability

Authors: Elias Tsakanikos, PhD, Nick Bouras, Md, PhD, Helen Costello, PhD, Geraldine Holt, Bsc, FRC Psych

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 1/2007

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Abstract

Background

Relatively few studies have examined the impact of life events on mental health in the field of intellectual disability (ID), despite the possibility that adults with ID and mental health problems might be particularly vulnerable to multiple events.

Aims

To examine the impact of multiple life events on mental health in people with ID.

Method

The sample consisted of 281 men and women with ID consecutively referred to a specialist mental health service in South-East London. For each participant, key informants completed the PAS-ADD Life Events list, while psychiatric diagnoses were made by clinicians based on ICD-10 criteria.

Results

Logistic regression analysis revealed that single exposure to life events was significantly associated with female gender, schizophrenia, personality disorders and depression. However, multiple exposure to life events was associated with personality disorder, depression and adjustment reaction.

Conclusions

The present results suggest an increased vulnerability to life events in people with ID. A better understanding of the relationship between life events and mental health can enhance the development of interventions, which may benefit substantially this particular population.
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Metadata
Title
Multiple exposure to life events and clinical psychopathology in adults with intellectual disability
Authors
Elias Tsakanikos, PhD
Nick Bouras, Md, PhD
Helen Costello, PhD
Geraldine Holt, Bsc, FRC Psych
Publication date
01-01-2007
Publisher
Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 1/2007
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-006-0128-1

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