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Women with and without intellectual disability and psychiatric disorders

An examination of the literature

University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, l.taggart{at}ulster.ac.uk

R. McMillan

University of Ulster, Northern Ireland

A. Lawson

Judith Trust, London, UK

This article examines the literature on women with and without intellectual disability and psychiatric disorders, using a gender social model of health. Relevant empirical studies, international literature reviews and policies between 1980 and 2007 were identified from electronic databases, journals and secondary sources. Three areas were examined: psychiatric disorders, their contextual background, and their clinical presentation. There are minimal levels of research into women with intellectual disability and psychiatric disorders. However, this article hypothesizes that women with intellectual disability have higher rates of psychiatric disorders than women without. This may result from greater vulnerability related both to internal factors (`intra': cognitive deficits, poorer communication skills, limited social skills) and to the external world (`inter': lack of opportunities, stigma, poor social support networks). The article argues that such women require gender-sensitive mental health services. However, more empirical evidence is required to support this claim and to inform development and delivery of services.

Key Words: gender-sensitive services • intellectual disability • psychiatric disorders • women

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 12, No. 3, 191-211 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1744629508095323


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