Transition to adulthood might be a risk period for poor health in people with intellectual disabilities. However, we could find no synthesis of evidence on health and wellbeing outcomes during transition in this population. This review aimed to answer this question.
PRISMA/MOOSE guidelines were followed. Search terms were defined, electronic searches of six databases were conducted, reference lists and key journals were reviewed and grey literature was searched. Papers were selected based on clear inclusion criteria. Data was extracted from the selected papers, and their quality was systematically reviewed. The review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO: CRD42015016905.
15,985 articles were extracted; of these 17 met the inclusion criteria. The results of these articles were mixed but suggested the presence of some health and wellbeing issues in this population during transition to adulthood, including obesity and sexual health issues.
This review reveals a gap in the literature on transition and health, and points to the need for future work in this area.
Read more about this systematic review at the link below.
This systematic review by Dr Genevieve Young-Southward revealed a gap in the literature on transition and health and wellbeing outcomes in this population. Next, a qualitative study was carried out, aiming to gain insights into the transition experiences of young people with learning disabilities through semi-structured interviews with young people and their parents.
What we did
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 young people with learning disabilities aged 16-27, and 23 parents of young people with learning disabilities aged 16-26. The interviews explored whether the experience of transition had affected young people’s health and wellbeing, in what particular ways, and what services were useful in supporting a healthy transition. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis through Nvivo software.
What we found
The key health impact of transition on young people was on mental health, with young people experiencing high levels of anxiety during the transition period, and often exhibiting challenging behaviours as a result. Themes identified as contributing to these mental health difficulties included a lack of appropriate daytime activity following school exit; inadequate supports and services during transition; and the struggle to adjust to expectations for more ‘grown up’ behaviour.
What these findings mean
Transition planning should be better supported and started earlier in a young person’s school career in order to ease anxiety for young people and their families during this difficult period.
Project lead: Genevieve Young-Southward
Research team: Christopher Philo, Sally-Ann Cooper
Anna set up the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory with funding from the Scottish Government. She wants the Observatory to make Scotland fairer and healthier for people with learning disabilities and their families, by: Finding out the health problems people have Finding out how good or bad health care is Telling people about health and health care problems Finding ways to make health and health care better Checking if health gets better or worse over time Helping the Scottish Government, and staff who provide health and social services, to get it right for people with learning disabilities Anna is a doctor. She has done a lot of studies on the health of people with learning disabilities. Anna’s full name is Professor Sally-Ann Cooper.
