Narrative therapy in a learning disability context: a review.

Purpose – Narrative therapy is aligned with government priorities for learning disabilities as it promotes inclusion and seeks to empower. While research on narrative therapy in learning disability services is emerging, it has not been critically evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to identify,...

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Published in:Tizard Learning Disability Review Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 121 - 130
Main Author: McParland, James
Format: research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Emerald Publishing Limited 2015
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: 2015
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      pub: Emerald Publishing Limited
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        10.1108/TLDR-08-2014-0028
        109802590
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        atl: Narrative therapy in a learning disability context: a review.
      aug:
        au: McParland, James
        affil: Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Tunbridge Wells, UK
      sug:
        subj:
          Learning Disorders Therapy
          Psychotherapy Methods
          Narratives Utilization
          Human
          Systematic Review
          Treatment Outcomes
          Mental Health Services
          Psycinfo
          Medline
          Case Studies
          Male
          Middle Age
          Adult
          Female
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Purpose – Narrative therapy is aligned with government priorities for learning disabilities as it promotes inclusion and seeks to empower. While research on narrative therapy in learning disability services is emerging, it has not been critically evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to identify, summarise and critique the extant literature that has explored narrative therapy for adults with learning disabilities, and consider the implications for research and clinical practice. Design/methodology/approach – A literature search identified seven relevant case studies that described individual narrative therapy interventions for adults with learning disabilities. A qualitative review of these studies was carried out. Findings – Overall, the reviewed studies offer tentative evidence for the short-term usefulness of narrative therapy for difficulties with anger and qualitative benefits for ritualistic behaviour, social anxiety and stealing behaviour. Research limitations/implications – A number of methodological issues are identified, particularly concerning the use of outcome measures and the generalisability of findings. The research is limited due to a reliance on case study evidence and outcome measures that lack validity and reliability. Both larger scale and more robust research, and high quality practice-based evidence, are required. Practical implications – Learning disability services could consider providing narrative therapy for people with learning disabilities experiencing anger problems and other psychological difficulties. Clinical practice suggestions are identified, such as choosing relevant metaphors and including the individual’s wider system. Originality/value – This paper provides an up-to-date, comprehensive review of the literature on narrative therapy for people with learning disabilities that will be of use to clinicians providing therapeutic support and to people commissioning such services.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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