The Relationship Between Problem-Solving Ability and Self-Harm Amongst People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities

Rees, Joanna, Langdon, Peter E. (2015) The Relationship Between Problem-Solving Ability and Self-Harm Amongst People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29 (4). pp. 387-393. ISSN 1360-2322. E-ISSN 1468-3148. (doi:10.1111/jar.12187) (KAR id:48386)

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jar.12187

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression, hopelessness, problem-solving ability and self-harming behaviours amongst people with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs).

Methods

Thirty-six people with mild IDs (77.9% women, Mage = 31.77, SD = 10.73, MIQ = 62.65, SD = 5.74) who had a history of self-harm were recruited. Participants were asked to complete measures of depression, hopelessness and problem-solving ability.

Results

Cutting was most frequently observed, and depression was prevalent amongst the sample. There was a significant positive relationship between depression and hopelessness, while there was no significant relationship between self-harm and depression or hopelessness. Problem-solving ability explained 15% of the variance in self-harm scores.

Conclusions

Problem-solving ability appears to be associated with self-harming behaviours in people with mild IDs.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1111/jar.12187
Uncontrolled keywords:	depression, learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, problem-solving task (PST), self-harm;self-injury
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Institutional Unit:	Schools > School of Psychology > Tizard Centre
Former Institutional Unit:	Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User:	Peter Langdon
Date Deposited:	12 May 2015 21:59 UTC
Last Modified:	20 May 2025 14:34 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/48386 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Langdon, Peter E..

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