“Mindfulness Matters”: A pilot study of a Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction group for adults with intellectual disabilities

Accessible summary: Mindfulness helps people focus on the present instead of worrying about the past or future. We carried out an 8‐week Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction group for young adults with intellectual disabilities. We learned that practising mindfulness can help people when they feel stressed. After the 8 weeks, everyone in the group gave positive feedback about the group. Abstract:

Background: People with intellectual disabilities face increased levels of psychological distress compared with the general population and broadly present with fewer coping strategies. There is emerging evidence of the positive effectiveness of mindfulness in the treatment of various mental health issues such as depression and anxiety amongst people with intellectual disabilities. A pilot group was run to determine the effectiveness of a Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group on well‐being and self‐esteem amongst a nonclinical group of young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: Seven participants with mild intellectual disabilities attended an 8‐week MBSR group. Qualitative and quantitative measures were used pre‐ and post‐group: the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation‐Learning Disability (CORE‐LD) and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale‐Adapted. A visual stress measure was used to monitor weekly stress levels and to facilitate group discussion. The effectiveness of the mindfulness‐based group was evaluated.

Findings: A mixed methodology using quantitative and qualitative analysis of group outcomes was used. Participants’ feedback was analysed thematically; participants found the group to be beneficial and taught them mindfulness strategies to manage their stress levels. Scores from the CORE‐LD showed a significant improvement between pre‐ and post‐group scores on participants’ overall well‐being. Scores from the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale‐Adapted showed an improvement between pre‐ and post‐group scores on participants’ self‐esteem, but not at a significant level.

Conclusion: Mindfulness emerged as a self‐care tool that was used independently by some participants. We conclude that mindfulness seems to be a suitable therapeutic option for managing stress in young adults with mild intellectual disabilities. Future research opportunities are evident in relation to adapting mindfulness to suit the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.