People with learning disabilities’ experiences of life events
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of social support and relationship understanding on the relationship between life experiences and shame, self-esteem and self-compassion in people with learning disabilities.
IRAS ID
213044
Contact name
Lauren Evans
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 27 days
Research summary
Research has shown that people who have experienced negative life experiences, particularly in relationships, tend to have higher levels of shame and self-criticism and have less self-compassion. People with learning disabilities also often experience negative life events, suggesting these concepts are also relevant for this client group. However, there is currently limited research within this area. This research will look at whether people with a learning disability who have experienced a high number of negative relational life events have higher levels of shame and lower levels of self-esteem and self-compassion in comparison to those who have experienced a lower number of negative relational life events. The study will also examine whether a person’s understanding of relationships and/or their level of social support influences the link between negative relational life experiences and levels of shame, self-esteem and self-compassion. Given that negative interpersonal events have been found to cause greater stress for people with learning disabilities (Hartley, MacLean, & Floyd, 2005), this study will also examine whether people with a learning disability experience more negative interpersonal life events than people without a learning disability \n\nTo test this, people with learning disabilities will meet individually with the researcher and complete questionnaires measuring their understanding of relationships, their current level of social support, their experience of negative relational life events, and their levels of shame, self-esteem, depression and self-compassion.It is expected that this will take around 90 minutes. Participants with a learning disability who are aged 18 or over, with a mild to moderate level of impairment, will be recruited via the 2gether Trust from community learning disability teams based in Gloucestershire and possibly also from non-statutory organisations. A control group of people without a learning disability will complete the measures of experience of negative relational life events and of depression symptoms.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
17/WA/0032
Date of REC Opinion
28 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion