Paul Willner1, John Rose2, Biza Stenfert Kroese2, Glynis H Murphy3, Peter E Langdon4,5, Claire Clifford6, Hayley Hutchings7, Alan Watkins7, Steve Hiles7, Vivien Cooper8. 1. Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK. 2. School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. 3. Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK. 4. Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. 5. Coventry and Warwichshire Partnership NHS Trust, Coventry, UK. 6. Independent Researcher, Solihull, UK. 7. Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK. 8. The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, Chatham, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The measures implemented to manage the COVID-19 pandemic have been shown to impair mental health. This problem is likely to be exacerbated for carers. METHOD: Informal carers (mainly parents) of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and a comparison group of parents of children without disabilities, completed an online questionnaire. Almost all the data were collected while strict lockdown conditions were in place. RESULTS: Relative to carers of children without intellectual disability, carers of both children and adults with intellectual disability had significantly greater levels of a wish fulfilment coping style, defeat/entrapment, anxiety, and depression. Differences were 2-3 times greater than reported in earlier pre-pandemic studies. Positive correlations were found between objective stress scores and all mental health outcomes. Despite their greater mental health needs, carers of those with intellectual disability received less social support from a variety of sources. CONCLUSIONS: The greater mental health needs of carers in the context of lesser social support raises serious concerns. We consider the policy implications of these findings.
INTRODUCTION: The measures implemented to manage the COVID-19 pandemic have been shown to impair mental health. This problem is likely to be exacerbated for carers. METHOD: Informal carers (mainly parents) of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and a comparison group of parents of children without disabilities, completed an online questionnaire. Almost all the data were collected while strict lockdown conditions were in place. RESULTS: Relative to carers of children without intellectual disability, carers of both children and adults with intellectual disability had significantly greater levels of a wish fulfilment coping style, defeat/entrapment, anxiety, and depression. Differences were 2-3 times greater than reported in earlier pre-pandemic studies. Positive correlations were found between objective stress scores and all mental health outcomes. Despite their greater mental health needs, carers of those with intellectual disability received less social support from a variety of sources. CONCLUSIONS: The greater mental health needs of carers in the context of lesser social support raises serious concerns. We consider the policy implications of these findings.
Authors: Gemma Rogers; Gisela Perez-Olivas; Biza Stenfert Kroese; Varsha Patel; Glynis Murphy; John Rose; Vivien Cooper; Peter E Langdon; Steve Hiles; Clair Clifford; Paul Willner Journal: J Appl Res Intellect Disabil Date: 2021-03-23