Good mental health for people with intellectual disabilities: a participatory focus group study
- Author(s)
- Sophie Komenda-Schned, Sarah Jasmin Landskron, Paula Moritz, Nicole Braunstein, Josef Hochmeister, Karin Riegler, Robert Saugspier, Louise Hillenkamp, Brigitte Lueger-Schuster, Luis Salvador-Carulla, Elisabeth Lucia Zeilinger
- Abstract
Background Mental health is a fundamental component of overall health. However, it remains unclear whether commonly accepted definitions of good mental health, like the WHO ́s, are applicable to people with intellectual disabilities (ID). While there are studies with experts in the field of mental health and ID investigating this issue, the perspectives of people with ID themselves have yet to be adequately represented in this discourse. Aim We aimed to identify key factors contributing to good mental health in people with ID, based on the perspectives of people with ID as experts on their own account. Methods Five focus groups with people with ID (N = 20) from different living and working settings were conducted. The data was analyzed and synthesized using reflexive thematic analysis. Following a participatory research approach, people with ID acted as co-researchers throughout the research process, including data analysis. Results We found six themes constituting good mental health in people with ID: (1) physical health, (2) working and living environment, (3) social contacts, (4) appropriate support, (5) competencies, and (6) psychosocial functioning. Psychosocial functioning included five sub-themes: (6a) emotions, (6b) self-determination and self-concept, (6c) doing something meaningful, (6d) responding well in social situations, and (6e) having energy and being able to relax. Conclusions The findings widely align with the factors outlined in the WHO definition of good mental health. While working productively as well as contributing to the community were not discussed, the relevance of social contacts and individualized support was emphasized. Additionally, this study underscores the added value of considering the unique perspectives of people with ID as experts on their own account and as co-researchers in participatory research settings.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
- External organisation(s)
- Lebenshilfe Österreich, University of Vienna, University of Cádiz, University of Canberra
- Journal
- International Journal for Equity in Health
- Volume
- 24
- ISSN
- 1475-9276
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02562-8
- Publication date
- 06-2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 501010 Clinical psychology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Policy
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/ea0243ea-edcc-4a8e-9dcd-26227a4ae95d