Treatment of Anger and Violence in Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors provide a selective overview of studies published between 2000 and 2018 that assessed effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and mindfulness for anger and violence in individuals with mild intellectual disability‐borderline intellectual functioning. They also review studies that have evaluated programmes for training staff members who are involved in the treatment of clients with ID who present with anger problems and violence. The main reasons for this choice are that both treatments actively promote self‐regulation, that they can be implemented both in settings with high or low staff ratios that they may be used in clients showing low‐frequency yet severe aggression and violence, and that they are commonly implemented in forensic services for individuals with ID. These results, however, need to be replicated by other independent researchers before conclusions may be drawn on whether mindfulness is an evidence‐based practice for aggression in individuals with ID.