Reliability and validity of the dynamic risk outcome scales-short version for clients with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the reliability and validity of the dynamic risk outcome scales-short version (DROS-SV). This instrument is developed to monitor treatment progress using dynamic risk factors in clients with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning and behavioural and/or mental health problems. METHOD: Data were collected from 264 clients who received Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT), a form of intensive outpatient treatment. RESULTS: A principal component analysis showed that there were six components explaining 73.9% of the variance. Furthermore, the DROS-SV showed good internal consistency of its subscales and total score (α > 0.78). Correlating the DROS-SV with the Historical and Clinical subscales of the Historical, Clinical and Future-30 indicated convergent and divergent validity. DISCUSSION: The DROS-SV has good psychometric properties for measuring dynamic risk factors in clients with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning in FACT teams.

Psychometric analysis of the Group Climate Inventory-Revised in adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a secure residential facility.

BACKGROUND: In secure residential facilities, group climate perceptions of clients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning are systematically assessed for quality improvement. A valid and reliable measure may ensure that this process is consistent. The Group Climate Inventory-Revised (GCI-R) is a new measure to assess group climate perceptions. METHOD: Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in 148 adult clients (79% male) with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a secure facility to examine internal structure validity and internal consistency reliability of the GCI-R. RESULTS: The results indicate support for the five-factor structure of the GCI-R ('Support', 'Growth', 'Repression', 'Peer interactions', and 'Physical environment'). The internal consistency reliability of its scales ranged from acceptable to good (α: .72-.87; ω: .76-.86). CONCLUSION: The GCI-R demonstrates evidence of psychometric adequacy when applied to adult clients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in secure residential facilities.

Experienced support at work, team climate and collaboration in teams working with people with mild intellectual disabilities and severe challenging behaviour in residential care: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the perceptions of staff for people with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning and severe challenging behaviour in relation to the support they received at work from four groups of professionals (i.e. team leaders, managers, psychologists and other staff members). The team climate, such as the workplace having clearly defined goals for staff, was also explored. In addition, the associations between the support from each of the professionals and team climate with the well-being and job satisfaction of staff were examined. We hypothesised that staff would perceive higher levels of support from professionals around a team (i.e. team leaders, managers and psychologists) and a more positive team climate when professionals around a team experience more positive mutual collaboration. METHODS: An online questionnaire about support at work, team climate, well-being and job satisfaction was completed by 201 staff members from 32 teams at 10 residential service organisations. In addition, professionals surrounding these teams rated their mutual collaboration. RESULTS: Both support received at work from all four groups of professionals and team climate showed significant small to moderate positive associations with job satisfaction. Well-being was associated with support from team leaders, psychologists and other staff members in the team, as well as with team climate. We did not find support for the hypotheses that staff would perceive higher levels of support or a more positive team climate when professionals around a team experience more positive mutual collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of investing in staff support and creating a positive team climate for promoting staff well-being and job satisfaction. Implications for future research regarding staff support, team climate and the collaboration between professionals around a team are discussed.

Relationships between dynamic risk factors for externalising problem behaviour and group climate in adults with mild intellectual disability in forensic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Relationships between dynamic risk factors for externalising problem behaviour and group climate were investigated in 151 adult in-patients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a Dutch secure residential facility. METHOD: Regression analysis was used to predict total group climate score and Support, Growth, Repression, and Atmosphere subscales of the 'Group Climate Inventory'. Predictor variables were Coping Skills, Attitude towards current treatment, Hostility, and Criminogenic attitudes subscales of the 'Dynamic Risk Outcome Scales'. RESULTS: Less hostility predicted a better overall group climate, better support and atmosphere, and less repression. A positive attitude towards current treatment predicted better growth. CONCLUSION: Results indicate relationships of hostility and attitude towards current treatment with group climate. A focus on both dynamic risk factors and group climate may provide a basis for improving treatment for this target group.

The predictive value of the dynamic risk outcome scales (DROS) for recidivism in (forensic) clients with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning.

BACKGROUND: The dynamic risk outcome scales (DROS) was developed to assess treatment progress of clients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning using dynamic risk factors. We studied the predictive value of the DROS on various classifications and severity levels of recidivism. METHOD: Data of 250 forensic clients with intellectual disabilities were linked to recidivism data from the Judicial Information Service in the Netherlands. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were used to determine the predictive values. RESULTS: The DROS total score could not significantly predict recidivism. A DROS recidivism subscale predicted general, violent and other recidivism. These predictive values were comparable to those of a Dutch tool validated for risk assessment in the general forensic population. CONCLUSIONS: The DROS recidivism subscale predicted various classifications of recidivism better than chance. At present, the DROS appears to have no added value beyond the HKT-30 for the purpose of risk assessment.

[Feasibility of MMPI-2-RF in patients with borderline intellectual functioning]. / Toepasbaarheid van de MMPI-2-RF bij patiënten met zwakbegaafdheid.

BACKGROUND: There are few psychometrically sound diagnostic instruments available to assess personality characteristics and psychopathology in patients with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF). It is important to assess personality characteristics and psychopathology in this target group because of their high risk on psychopathology. AIM: To determine whether the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is feasible in patients with BIF (Verbal Comprehension Index = 70-85) and psychopathology. METHOD: We examined scores on validity scales of the MMPI-2-RF of patients with BIF and compared these scores to those of a matched group of individuals with average intellectual functioning without psychopathology. RESULTS: Scores on the validity scales indicated that patients with BIF can report in a consistent and valid way about their complaints and personality characteristics. Compared to the comparison group they reported equally consistent and showed significantly more psychopathology. CONCLUSION: The MMPI-2-RF is feasible in the assessment of personality characteristics and psychopathology in patients with BIF..

[Suicide in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities]. / Suïcide bij mensen met een lichte verstandelijke beperking.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about suicide among individuals with mild intellectual disabilities (mid).
AIM: To explore risk factors for suicide among a small group of clients with mid who committed suicide.
METHOD: Case files of 11 clients with mid were analysed using the Integrated Motivational Volitional model.
RESULTS: Most suicides seem to have taken place impulsively and not on the basis of a predetermined plan. Most clients had comorbid mental health problems, predominantly trauma-related, impulse control and externalizing behavioural problems. The (imminent) loss of contact, such as in the case of transfer from one ward to another ward or to a facility, seems an important risk factor for suicide.
CONCLUSION: Clients with mid residing in a treatment facility may have an increased risk of suicide because of an interaction between client characteristics and treatment context.

[The predictive value of the Dynamic Risk Outcome Scales (DROS) for predicting recidivism in (forensic) patients with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning]. / De voorspellende waarde van de Dynamic Risk Outcome Scales (DROS) voor recidive bij (forensische) patiënten met een lichte verstandelijke beperking.

BACKGROUND: The Dynamic Risk Outcome Scales (DROS) was developed to assess treatment progress of patients with mild intellectual disability (MID) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and severe behavioral and/or psychiatric problems. Because of the focus on dynamic risk factors, practitioners also see this instrument as a tool for risk assessment.
AIM: To investigate the predictive value of the DROS on different classifications and severities of recidivism.
METHOD: DROS data from the routine outcome monitoring (ROM) of 250 forensic patients with MID-BIF who were discharged between 2007 and end of 2014 were linked to recidivism data from the Judicial Information Service.
RESULTS: The DROS total score predicted general, violence and sexual recidivism better than chance (AUCs > 0.58), although the effect was small. A DROS-recidivism subscale predicted general, violence and other recidivism with a medium to large effect (AUCs > 0.67). The predictive values of the DROS total score and DROS-recidivism subscale were comparable to those of the Historic, Clinical, Future (in Dutch: HKT)-30.
CONCLUSION: The DROS total score and DROS-recidivism subscale predict different classifications of recidivism better than chance. However, for risk assessment the DROS appears to have no added value to the HKT-30.

Flexible assertive community treatment for individuals with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning: results of a longitudinal study in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Assertive community treatment (ACT) and Flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) are organisation models for intensive assertive outreach that were originally developed for individuals with severe mental illness. The models are increasingly applied to people with mild intellectual disability (MID) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and challenging behaviour or mental illness. Research on these types of care for this population is limited. To gain experience in FACT MID/BIF in the Netherlands and to obtain insight in its outcomes, four organisations specialised in the treatment of individuals with MID/BIF and challenging behaviour participated in a 6-year implementation and research project. METHODS: A longitudinal study was set up to investigate outcomes over time. Outcome measures concerned admissions to (mental) health care, social and psychological functioning, (risk of) challenging and criminal behaviour, social participation and client satisfaction. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear mixed models. RESULTS: Over time, clients showed improvement in their social and psychiatric functioning and living circumstances. The number of admissions to (mental) health care diminished as well as the number of contacts with police and justice, the level of social disturbance and the risk factors for challenging and criminal behaviour. Problems related to finances, work and substance abuse remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The results are encouraging and give rise to continued development of and broader research on FACT MID/BIF.

Psychometric properties of the Group Climate Instrument (GCI) in individuals with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Group Climate Instrument (GCI) in a sample of N = 189 adults (79% men) with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning who were residents of a treatment facility in the Netherlands. METHOD: Construct validity of the GCI was examined by means of confirmatory factor analysis. Also, reliability and convergent validity of the GCI were examined. We also examined the variability in perception of the living group climate between and within living groups by computing intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The model contained four first-order factors (support, growth, group atmosphere and repression) and a second-order factor overall climate, providing preliminary support for construct validity of the GCI. Reliability coefficients were good for all factors. Preliminary evidence for convergent validity was found in significant moderate associations between subscales and single item ratings for the factors of group climate. The intraclass correlation coefficients indicated that a considerate proportion of variance can be attributed to between-group differences. CONCLUSIONS: The GCI might be used to assess perception of the living group climate for individuals with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in psychiatric and forensic care settings, although further development of the GCI and replication of our findings seem necessary.

Attentional bias in problematic drinkers with and without mild to borderline intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: Problematic drinkers favour the processing of alcohol-related stimuli at the cost of other stimuli and also find it difficult to disengage their attention from these stimuli. This is indicative of an attentional bias towards alcohol. The goal of this study was to examine this bias in problematic drinkers with and without mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) using both eye tracking methodology and behavioural data (i.e. reaction time (RT) data). METHOD: Participants (N = 133) were divided into four groups based on (estimated) full scale intelligence quotient (IQ) and severity of alcohol use-related problems. The severity of substance use-related problems was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The visual dot probe task was used to measure the attentional bias. We analysed both eye tracking data and behavioural data (i.e. RT data) of the visual dot probe task. RESULTS: Problematic drinkers were not more likely than light drinkers to direct their attention towards pictures of alcoholic beverages, did not look at these pictures longer than light drinkers and did also not respond faster than light drinkers to probes replacing pictures of alcoholic beverages. However, the strength of the attentional bias varied profusely. CONCLUSION: Taking the large variability in the strength of the attentional bias and the poor psychometric qualities of the measures into consideration, it is concluded that the use of these measures for clinical purposes is discouraged.

The addicted brain: cognitive biases in problematic drinkers with mild to borderline intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: Substance use disorders (SUD) are associated with several neurobiological disruptions, including biases in attention and approach/avoidance behaviour. The aims of this study were to compare the strength of cognitive biases between light and problematic drinkers, to explore the role of IQ on the cognitive biases and to study the psychometric qualities of the measures. METHOD: Participants (N = 130) were divided into four groups based on IQ and severity of alcohol use-related problems: light (n = 28) and problematic drinkers (n = 25) with (sub)average IQ and light (n = 33) and problematic drinkers (n = 44) with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID). All participants performed the visual dot probe task and the approach avoidance task to measure the strength of cognitive biases. RESULTS: In contrast with the hypothesis, no cognitive biases were found in problematic drinkers. Full scale IQ nor level of craving influenced the strength of the cognitive biases in light and problematic drinkers, although IQ did influence task performance (i.e. large intra-individual, trial-to-trial variation in reaction time). The internal consistency of the visual dot probe task was good, whereas the internal consistency of the approach avoidance task was poor. CONCLUSION: Cognitive biases seem to vary within the group of problematic drinkers as a whole. The psychometric qualities of the measures are problematic, especially in relation to the intra-individual variability in reaction time found in participants with MBID. Until the implications of this variability on the validity of implicit measures and establishing bias scores are more clear, the use of these measures in individuals with MBID calls for scrutiny.

Exploring the relationship of autonomic and endocrine activity with social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Several studies indicate that autonomic and endocrine activity may be related to social functioning in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although the number of studies in adults is limited. The present study explored the relationship of autonomic and endocrine activity with social functioning in young adult males with ASD compared to young adult males without ASD. Autonomic and endocrine activity (i.e. heart rate, heart rate variability and salivary cortisol) were measured during rest and social interaction. No differences in heart rate, heart rate variability and cortisol between both groups were found during rest and social interaction. Repeated measures ANOVA's indicate a main effect of time for heart rate and cortisol, indicating an increase in these measures for both groups. An interaction effect between time and group was found for heart rate, with the ASD group showing a blunted increase in heart rate from rest to social interaction as compared to those without ASD. Future research should focus on replicating the present findings with larger sample sizes which also enables assessing inter-individual variability in autonomic and endocrine activity in relation to social functioning.

Clinical assessment of PTSD in children with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: There are few studies regarding assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aims of this study were to determine (1) the feasibility of an adapted version of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-clinical interview and (2) to what extent manifestation of PTSD in a sample of children with mild to borderline ID corresponds with four existing PTSD algorithms. METHOD: Fifteen children who visited a special need school were interviewed. RESULTS: In all children, the full interview could be completed. Potentially traumatic events (A1 criterion), and PTSD symptoms for children with mild to borderline ID were similar to those observed in children without ID. CONCLUSIONS: The manifestation of PTSD in children with mild to borderline ID corresponds with the manifestation of PTSD in children without ID. The data provide no reason to broaden PTSD criterion A1 for children with mild to borderline ID.

Brief report: suitability of the Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA) for the assessment of social skills in adults with autism spectrum disorders.

The present study aims at examining whether the 'Social Skills Performance Assessment' (SSPA; Patterson et al. in Schizophr Res 48(2-3):351-360, 2001) is a suitable performance-based measure to assess social skills in adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). For this purpose, social skills of individuals with ASD and non-ASD participants were assessed through the SSPA role plays. Results of this study suggest that the SSPA is suitable for the assessment of social skills in adults with ASD. The SSPA discriminates between individuals with ASD and non-ASD individuals, with the ASD group scoring significantly lower. Although no evidence was found for convergent validity of the SSPA in participants with ASD, divergent validity of the SSPA and interrater reliability among adults with ASD were good.

CYP1A2 polymorphisms in slow melatonin metabolisers: a possible relationship with autism spectrum disorder?

BACKGROUND: In some of our patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) and sleep problems, the initial good response to melatonin disappeared within a few weeks after starting treatment. In these patients melatonin levels at noon were extremely high (>50 pg/ml). We hypothesise that the disappearing effectiveness is associated with slow metabolisation of melatonin because of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of CYP1A2. METHOD: In this pilot study we analysed DNA extracted from saliva samples of 15 consecutive patients with disappearing effectiveness of melatonin. Saliva was collected at noon and 4 pm for measuring melatonin levels. RESULTS: In all patients' salivary melatonin levels at noon were >50 or melatonin half time was > 5 h. A SNP was found in eight of 15 patients. The allele 1C was found in two patients and in six patients the 1F allele was found. CONCLUSIONS: Of 15 patients with disappearing effectiveness of melatonin, seven were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and in four of them a SNP was found. The other eight patients were known with a genetic syndrome. In six of them behaviour was considered to be autistic-type and in three of them a SNP was found. This finding may give a new direction for research into the genetic background of autism.

The Behavior Problems Inventory-Short Form for individuals with intellectual disabilities: part II: reliability and validity.

BACKGROUND: The Behavior Problems Inventory-01 (BPI-01) is an informant-based behaviour rating instrument for intellectual disabilities (ID) with 49 items and three sub-scales: Self-injurious Behavior, Stereotyped Behavior and Aggressive/Destructive Behavior. The Behavior Problems Inventory-Short Form (BPI-S) is a BPI-01 spin-off with 30 items. METHODS: The psychometric properties of these two versions of the scale were computed using aggregated archival data from nine different sites in the USA, Wales, England, the Netherlands and Romania with a total of 1122 cases with a BPI-01 total score >0. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the BPI-01 and the BPI-S ranged from fair to excellent with the BPI-01 showing slightly stronger reliability. Construct validity (confirmatory and discriminant) was computed by comparing BPI sub-scale scores with the scores of four other behaviour rating scales (the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II, the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form and the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning). Strong evidence for confirmatory and discriminant validity was found for both the BPI-01 and the BPI-S. Confirmatory fit indices for the BPI and the BPI-S were comparable and suggesting that the factor structures fit the data well. CONCLUSION: In summary, both BPI versions were found to be equally sound psychometrically and can be endorsed for future use. However, independent future studies are needed to replicate the psychometrics of the BPI-S with new data.

The Behavior Problems Inventory-Short Form for individuals with intellectual disabilities: part I: development and provisional clinical reference data.

BACKGROUND: The Behavior Problems Inventory-01 (BPI-01) is an informant-based behaviour rating instrument that was designed to assess maladaptive behaviours in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Its items fall into one of three sub-scales: Self-injurious Behavior (14 items), Stereotyped Behavior (24 items), and Aggressive/Destructive Behavior (11 items). Each item is rated on a frequency scale (0 = never to 4 = hourly), and a severity scale (0 = no problem to 3 = severe problem). The BPI-01 has been successfully used in several studies and has shown acceptable to very good psychometric properties. One concern raised by some investigators was the large number of items on the BPI-01, which has reduced its user friendliness for certain applications. Furthermore, researchers and clinicians were often uncertain how to interpret their BPI-01 data without norms or a frame of reference. METHODS: The Behavior Problems Inventory-Short Form (BPI-S) was empirically developed, based on an aggregated archival data set of BPI-01 data from individuals with ID from nine locations in the USA, Wales, England, the Netherlands, and Romania (n = 1122). The BPI-S uses the same rating system and the same three sub-scales as the BPI-01, but has fewer items: Self-injurious Behavior (8 items), Stereotyped Behavior (12 items), and Aggressive/Destructive Behavior (10 items). Rating anchors for the severity scales of the Self-injurious Behavior and the Aggressive/Destructive Behavior sub-scales were added in an effort to enhance the objectivity of the ratings. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the BPI-S compared with the BPI-01 was high (0.92 to 0.99), and so were the correlations between the analogous BPI-01 and the BPI-S sub-scales (0.96 to 0.99). Means and standard deviations were generated for both BPI versions in a Sex-by-age matrix, and in a Sex-by-ID Level matrix. Combined sex ranges are also provided by age and level of ID. CONCLUSION: In summary, the BPI-S is a very useful alternative to the BPI-01, especially for research and evaluation purposes involving groups of individuals.

Sleep disturbances and behavioural problems in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are at risk of sleep disturbances, such as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and sleep apnoea, and behavioural problems. Sleep disturbances and their relationship with other variables had not been researched extensively in adults with PWS. METHOD: Sleep disturbances and behavioural problems were investigated in adults with genetically confirmed PWS using standardised questionnaires. Results of adults with paternal deletion (n=45) were compared with those of adults with maternal uniparental disomy (n=33). RESULTS: Eleven adults with PWS (i.e. 15%) had a current sleep problem, mostly night waking problems. Twenty-six adults with PWS (i.e. 33%) suffered from severe EDS. No differences in prevalence of sleep disturbances between genetic subtypes were found. Seventeen adults with deletion (i.e. 38%) and 17 adults with maternal uniparental disomy (i.e. 52%) had behavioural problems. No significant relationships were found between sleep disturbances and behavioural problems. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with PWS, EDS is the most common type of sleep disturbance. Men and individuals with relative high body mass index are at increased risk for EDS. More research, aimed at developing a suitable screening instrument for sleep apnoea in adults with PWS, is necessary. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Melatonin decreases daytime challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual disability and chronic insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Persons with intellectual disability (ID) and sleep problems exhibit more daytime challenging behaviours than persons with ID without sleep problems. Several anecdotal reports suggest that melatonin is not only effective in the treatment of insomnia, but also decreases daytime challenging behaviour. However, the effect of melatonin treatment on daytime challenging behaviour in persons with ID has not been investigated in a randomised controlled trial. METHOD: We investigated the effects of melatonin on challenging behaviour using data from two randomised controlled trials on the efficacy of melatonin on sleep problems in 49 persons (25 men, 24 women; mean age 18.2 years, SD = 17.1) with ID and chronic insomnia. Participants received either melatonin 5 mg (<6 years 2.5 mg) or placebo during 4 weeks. Daytime challenging behaviour was measured by the Storend Gedragsschaal voor Zwakzinnigen - Maladaptive Behaviour Scale for the Mentally Retarded (SGZ; Kraijer & Kema, 1994) at baseline week and the end of the fourth treatment week. Salivary dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) was measured at baseline and the last day of the fourth treatment week. Sleep logs were used to gather information on sleep parameters. RESULTS: Melatonin treatment significantly reduced SGZ scores, sleep latency, and number and duration of night wakes, and treatment increased total sleep time and advanced DLMO. However, after 4 weeks of treatment, change in SGZ scores did not significantly correlate with change in sleep parameters, nor with change in DLMO. Relatively strong correlations were found between change in SGZ scores, change in DLMO and number of night wakes. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin treatment in persons with ID and chronic insomnia decreases daytime challenging behaviour, probably by improving sleep maintenance or by improving circadian melatonin rhythmicity.