Social Skill Interventions in Intellectually Disabled Offenders

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The Evaluation of an Innovative Computer-based Social Skill Intervention In Intellectually Disabled Violent Offenders

• IRAS ID

  238761

• Contact name

  Mike Marriott

• Contact email

  mike.marriott@ntu.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Nottingham Trent University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 7 months, 17 days

• Research summary

  The proposed study will explore the efficacy and engagement of computer-based innovative social problem-solving intervention in a population of violent offenders with intellectual disabilities. Also, It will look at the efficacy and engagement of Lego Therapy, currently delivered on the unit. Specifically, the study will explore the response to:

  1. Inca Island, an innovative social skill orientated desktop computer game.
  2. LEGO therapy, a group-based social skills intervention.

  Phase one of the project will see each participant subsequently take part in six weeks of weekly sessions using Inca Island, supported by the appropriately trained member of staff. Phase one of the project will formally assess participants' responses to this therapy according to three measures:

  1. An adapted, easy read version of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory (Revised) will be used to evaluate the change in social problem-solving style and orientation.
  2. An observational measure of a broader array of social skills (Questionnaire for Evaluation of Social Competence and Creativity (QUESCC) will be administered weekly to one staff member per participant.
  3. An easy read format of the Flow State Scale for Occupational Tasks will be used to measure engagement.

  LEGO therapy is already used in the clinical context in question.
  The continuation of the same three measures will enable us to assess whether this program supports the participants in maintaining or improving social skills, or whether different social skills respond differently to each intervention. We will also be able to evaluate whether they experience a similar level of engagement in the process as they do to the Inca Island therapy.

• REC name

  East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/EM/0476

• Date of REC Opinion

  31 Jan 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion