Citation

Lovell A, Skellern J. J. Intellect. Disabil. 2017; ePub(ePub): 1744629517747161.

Affiliation

University of Chester, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1744629517747161

PMID

29254412

Abstract

AIM: The research sought to enhance professional understanding of the violence perpetrated by some people with an intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: The violent behaviour exhibited by some people with intellectual disabilities remains poorly understood, particularly with regard to a clear and informative definition.

DESIGN: A qualitative study investigated the views and perceptions of professionals working directly with people with an intellectual disability in different settings.

METHODS: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were undertaken with professionals from a variety of backgrounds, and four themes were generated through data analysis.

FINDINGS: Themes produced comprised the degree of intellectual disability, impulsivity, intentionality and unpredictability.

FINDINGS indicated tension between understanding violence as purposeful and explaining it in relation to the intellectual disability and/or additional conditions.

CONCLUSION: Intellectual disability is central to understanding the impact of the other three themes, though there is a professional reluctance to use such knowledge as evidence to inform practice.

Language: en

Keywords

impulsivity; intentionality; professionals; unpredictability; violence