Challenging behavior, parental emotional distress, child quality of life and service provision in children with intellectual disabilities

Karakatsani, Efthalia (2018). Challenging behavior, parental emotional distress, child quality of life and service provision in children with intellectual disabilities. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

There are two areas of research into challenging behaviour that are, as yet, underexplored and yet important and likely to promote beneficial outcomes. First, there are very few studies of the persistence of challenging behaviour and predictors of persistence. In this thesis this question is addressed by studying challenging behaviour in people with the same cause for their intellectual disability, Fragile X syndrome (FXS). Second, the interrelationship between the quality of life of children with intellectual disabilities who show challenging behaviour, parental wellbeing and service use has not yet been explored. The relationships between these factors are explored in a large scale survey.

Challenging behaviour was found to be highly persistent in FXS and predicted by the presence of autism spectrum disorder. For the second question posed, impulsivity, a behavioural correlate of challenging behaviour, but not challenging behaviour alone, was predictive of parental emotional wellbeing. Behavioural correlates of challenging behaviour and parental emotional wellbeing were related to the quality of life of children with intellectual disabilities. Finally, parental anxiety and the child’s age were strongly associated with access to mental health and social services.

The results have important implications for the targeting of individualised early intervention strategies at children at high risk and which can effectively support children with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour in order to enable families to experience better quality of life.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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