The Prevalence, Incidence, and Factors Predictive of Mental Ill‐Health in Adults with Profound Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Background There are no previous studies of the prevalence and incidence of mental ill‐health in adults with profound intellectual disabilities. Method In this population‐based prospective cohort study, adults with profound intellectual disabilities underwent psychiatric assessment ( n = 184), with further assessment after 2 years ( n = 131). Results Point prevalence of mental ill‐health was 52.2% by clinical, 45.1% by Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for use with Adults with Learning Disabilities (DC‐LD), 10.9% by the ICD‐10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders Diagnostic Criteria for Research (1993) (DCR‐ICD‐10) and 11.4% by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (2004) (DSM‐IV‐TR) criteria. The highest 2‐year incidence rates were for affective disorders (6.1%) and problem behaviours (6.1%). Type of accommodation/support, and the number of preceding life events were predictive of incidents of mental ill‐health, but age, gender, living in areas of greatest deprivation, and having special communication needs were not. Conclusions Mental ill‐health is more commonly experienced by adults with profound intellectual disabilities than the general population, or other adults with intellectual disabilities, warranting proactive supports/interventions. Predictive factors differ, compared with the general population.