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Clinical psychologists' attitudes towards the biology and ‘new genetics’ of intellectual and developmental disabilities: a pilot study using Q‐methodology
Author(s) -
Hare D.J.,
Vahey C.,
Walker S.,
Wittkowski A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/jir.12261
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , psychology , set (abstract data type) , social model of disability , value (mathematics) , medical genetics , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , genetics , machine learning , biology , computer science , gene , programming language
Background The current study investigated how ideas and models from the ‘New Genetics’ and associated fields of developmental neuroscience and behavioural phenotypes are perceived by clinical psychologists working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As well as examining the take‐up and influence of such ideas, it also examines barriers, both personal and institutional, to the widespread adoption of such concepts and research findings in services for people with IDD. Methods A Q‐methodology study was undertaken with 31 qualified and 16 trainee clinical psychologists in the North West of England using a specifically developed 81‐item Q set. Results Three factors were identified and labelled Integration of social and medical models, Social model of disability is more helpful and Genetic advances in conflict with recognising the value of people with IDD.Conclusion There was a lack of consensus in clinical psychologists working with people with IDD, with amount and type of professional experience affecting the factor loadings, which may need to be considered in developing clinical applications of genetic IDD research.