Gender differences in self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with intellectual disabilities

TY - JOUR

T1 - Gender differences in self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with intellectual disabilities

AU - Chester, Rebecca

AU - Chaplin, Eddie

AU - Tsakanikos, Elias

AU - McCarthy, Jane

AU - Bouras, Nick

AU - Craig, Tom

PY - 2013/7

Y1 - 2013/7

N2 - Purpose: This study aimed to examine for differences on how symptoms relating to depression and anxiety were reported by males and females with intellectual disability as part of the development of the Self-Assessment Intervention Package (SAINT), a guided self-help tool. Design/methodology/approach: Three self-report questionnaires were administered (The Glasgow Depression Scale - Learning Disabilities (GDS-LD)), Glasgow Anxiety Scale - Intellectual Disabilities (GAS-ID) and Self-Assessment Intervention Package (SAINT) to a group of people with mild intellectual disabilities (n=36), to allow comparison of symptom reporting between genders, in particular examining the SAINT across the two groups. Findings: Statistically significant differences in self-reported symptoms as assessed with SAINT were found between males and females. The symptoms where related mainly to mood and self-esteem. Overall, endorsement of self-reported depressive symptoms was between 2.7-3.2 times higher in female than male patients. Originality/value: There was evidence to suggest differences in self-report and symptom profiles of depression and anxiety of males and females with mild intellectual disabilities with females reporting higher in terms of symptoms using the SAINT. The SAINT is a valid tool for screening and self-reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with intellectual disabilities. 

AB - Purpose: This study aimed to examine for differences on how symptoms relating to depression and anxiety were reported by males and females with intellectual disability as part of the development of the Self-Assessment Intervention Package (SAINT), a guided self-help tool. Design/methodology/approach: Three self-report questionnaires were administered (The Glasgow Depression Scale - Learning Disabilities (GDS-LD)), Glasgow Anxiety Scale - Intellectual Disabilities (GAS-ID) and Self-Assessment Intervention Package (SAINT) to a group of people with mild intellectual disabilities (n=36), to allow comparison of symptom reporting between genders, in particular examining the SAINT across the two groups. Findings: Statistically significant differences in self-reported symptoms as assessed with SAINT were found between males and females. The symptoms where related mainly to mood and self-esteem. Overall, endorsement of self-reported depressive symptoms was between 2.7-3.2 times higher in female than male patients. Originality/value: There was evidence to suggest differences in self-report and symptom profiles of depression and anxiety of males and females with mild intellectual disabilities with females reporting higher in terms of symptoms using the SAINT. The SAINT is a valid tool for screening and self-reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with intellectual disabilities. 

KW - Anxiety

KW - Depression

KW - Disabilities

KW - Gender

KW - Intellectual disabilities

KW - Self-report

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84880822900&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1108/AMHID-03-2013-0025

DO - 10.1108/AMHID-03-2013-0025

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84880822900

SN - 2044-1282

VL - 7

SP - 191

EP - 200

JO - Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities

JF - Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities

IS - 4

ER -