Adaptation of measures for adolescents with ID
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities who display harmful sexual behaviours: adaptation of measures
IRAS ID
153594
Contact name
Aida Malovic
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aim of the project is to validate and gather reliability data for two adapted measures for application within an adolescent population with intellectual disabilities (ID).
These are the UCLA-R emotional loneliness measure and Kern’s Security Scale of attachment. The former instrument measures aspects of loneliness, a subjective and generally distressing experience resulting from a lack of social relationships. Loneliness is associated with mental health problems, for example depression and anxiety. The other instrument looks at the attachment relationship between a caregiver and child. It consists of 15 questions. Children who form secure attachments with a caregiver are able to use them as a safe haven in times of distress and as a secure base to support exploration and play in times of low distress. Sensitivity or responsiveness to the child by the caregiver is a major determinant of variation in the security of a child's attachment to that person.Currently the two measures have been validated and found to be reliable instruments within a non-ID population. However, generally speaking there is little literature, research and empirical evidence regarding any validated assessments with an adolescent ID population. There are theoretical reasons to think loneliness and attachment are important for the development of sexually harmful behaviours, so these two measures are being especially targeted for those young people with ID who make up a significant proportion of those engaging in harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) (O’Callaghan, 2001).
The proposed study aims to address such gaps in the empirical research, through the exploration of the adolescent’s perception of loneliness and the level of their secure attachment to a caregiver, whilst also testing the reliability and validity of adapted assessments.
In addition the project will also collect normative data for the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescent, without any adaptation of the scales.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0688
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion