Compassionate Imagery for People With An Intellectual Disability
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Brief Compassionate Imagery Intervention for People with an Intellectual Disability: A Case Series in a Clinical Setting
IRAS ID
277354
Contact name
Andrew Jahoda
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lanarkshire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background
People with an intellectual disability (PWID) experience widespread stigma, mistreatment and
abuse. These are likely to lead individuals to experience shame and self-criticism, which can
contribute to the development of mental health difficulties. Indeed, PWID are more likely to
experience mental health difficulties than the general population. Compassion-Focused
Therapy (CFT) is a psychological therapy which aims to reduce shame and self-criticism by
developing a person’s ability to feel compassion. It involves enabling individuals to learn to
soothe themselves when they feel distressed. Compassionate imagery is one CFT technique
used to do this. This can involve developing a mental image of a compassionate person or
animal with the qualities of wisdom, strength, warmth, and nonjudgment. The individual is
encouraged to explore their experience of imagining this, which may include feeling a sense
of safety, warmth and connectedness.
Aims
The study will explore the adaptation of compassionate imagery for PWID. The main aims are
to investigate whether participants can meaningfully engage in a compassionate imagery
workshop delivered via video call, and make use of this technique to soothe themselves. It
will also explore participants’ views of this experience.
Methods
Participants
4-6 participants who are attending NHS Lanarkshire’s Community Learning Disability Team
and identified as experiencing mental health difficulties will be recruited. The study will
exclude participants who: 1) cannot provide informed consent; 2) have insufficient
communication skills to engage with the tasks; 3) have sensory impairments which are likely
to prevent them from engaging with the study materials; 4) are actively suicidal; 5) do not
have access to the internet and the video calling software; and 6) are known to have
previously engaged in compassionate imagery work.
Recruitment
Staff will discuss the study with individuals they believe to be suitable using an “easy read”
information sheet. If the individual would like to take part, they will be invited to attend the
workshop.Background
People with an intellectual disability (PWID) experience widespread stigma, mistreatment and
abuse. These are likely to lead individuals to experience shame and self-criticism, which can
contribute to the development of mental health difficulties. Indeed, PWID are more likely to
experience mental health difficulties than the general population. Compassion-Focused
Therapy (CFT) is a psychological therapy which aims to reduce shame and self-criticism by
developing a person’s ability to feel compassion. It involves enabling individuals to learn to
soothe themselves when they feel distressed. Compassionate imagery is one CFT technique
used to do this. This can involve developing a mental image of a compassionate person or
animal with the qualities of wisdom, strength, warmth, and nonjudgment. The individual is
encouraged to explore their experience of imagining this, which may include feeling a sense
of safety, warmth and connectedness.
Aims
The study will explore the adaptation of compassionate imagery for PWID. The main aims are
to investigate whether participants can meaningfully engage in a compassionate imagery
workshop delivered via video call, and make use of this technique to soothe themselves. It
will also explore participants’ views of this experience.
Methods
Participants
4-6 participants who are attending NHS Lanarkshire’s Community Learning Disability Team
and identified as experiencing mental health difficulties will be recruited. The study will
exclude participants who: 1) cannot provide informed consent; 2) have insufficient
communication skills to engage with the tasks; 3) have sensory impairments which are likely
to prevent them from engaging with the study materials; 4) are actively suicidal; 5) do not
have access to the internet and the video calling software; and 6) are known to have
previously engaged in compassionate imagery work.
Recruitment
Staff will discuss the study with individuals they believe to be suitable using an “easy read”
information sheet. If the individual would like to take part, they will be invited to attend the
workshop.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
20/SS/0041
Date of REC Opinion
6 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion