Description:
Intellectual disabilities (ID) are a group of developmental disorders that can significantly impact individuals' functioning in daily life. One major area of concern for individuals with ID is the high prevalence of aggressive and aggressive behavior. This behavior can cause significant distress to both the individuals with ID and their caregivers, and it can also have negative effects on the community. Group home living is a common form of supportive housing for individuals with ID, and many group homes strive to address the issue of aggressive behavior through various interventions. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of one such intervention program, the Steps to Effective Problem-Solving (STEPS) program, in reducing aggressive behavior among individuals with ID living in group homes. The STEPS program is a community-based preventive intervention designed to improve social problem-solving skills and decrease aggressive behaviors among individuals with ID. This study will explore the impact of the STEPS program on both individual-level outcomes and group-level factors that may contribute to aggressive behavior. Additionally, this study will aim to identify any factors that may influence the effectiveness of the STEPS program in reducing aggressive behavior.
Intellectual disabilities refer to a group of disorders characterized by significantly subaverage intellectual functioning and difficulties with everyday adaptive behavior. Individuals with ID often face challenges in areas such as communication, socialization, and self-care. One significant challenge that individuals with ID face is the high prevalence of aggressive and aggressive behavior. This behavior can take many forms, including physical attacks,property destruction, and threats of violence. This behavior not only harms the individuals with ID, but it can also have negative effects on their caregivers and the broader community.
Group homes are a common form of supportive housing for individuals with ID, providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals with ID to live. Many group homes strive to address the issue of aggressive behavior through various interventions. One such intervention is the Steps to Effective Problem-Solving (STEPS) program, which is designed to improve social problem-solving skills and decrease aggressive behaviors among individuals with ID. The STEPS program involves several components, including teaching individuals with ID how to identify and define problems, generate and evaluate alternatives, and implement and monitor solutions to problems. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the STEPS program in reducing aggressive behavior among individuals with ID living in group homes.
Objectives:
The primary aim of this study is to assess the impact of the STEPS program on reducing aggressive behavior among individuals with ID living in group homes. Secondary objectives include evaluating the mediating effects of residential staff social problem-solving skills, group-level social problem-solving skills, and group cohesiveness on the improvement of social problem-solving skills and reductions in aggressive behavior. Additionally, this study aims to identify any factors that may influence the effectiveness of the STEPS program in reducing aggressive behavior.
Methodology:
This study will use a randomized controlled trial design to assess the effectiveness of the STEPS program. Group homes that meet specific criteria will be randomly assigned to either the STEPS program or an attention-control nutrition intervention. Bothgroups will participate in the study for a total of 12 weeks, with six sessions over the course of the intervention. During each session, participants will engage in various activities designed to improve social problem-solving skills and reduce aggressive behavior. At the end of the intervention, researchers will collect data on individual-level outcomes, including social problem-solving skills and aggressive behavior, as well as group-level factors that may contribute to aggressive behavior.
Measures:
Data will be collected on various measures, including the Individual-Level Problem-Solving Scales (IFIRS), the General Maladaptive Index (GMI), and incident reports of aggressive and aggressive behavior. The IFIRS will be used to assess problem-solving skills and disruptive process at the individual level, while the GMI will be used to assess problem behaviors in eight domains. Incident reports will be used to collect data on the frequency and severity of aggressive and aggressive behavior.
Statistical Analysis:
Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate statistical techniques, including repeated-measures analysis of variance and structural equation modeling analysis. Multivariate statistical techniques will be used to control for confounding variables and to examine the impact of the STEPS program on individual-level and group-level factors that may contribute to aggressive behavior.
Expected Outcomes:
The expected outcomes of this study include a better understanding of the effectiveness of the STEPS program in reducing aggressive behavior among individuals with ID living in group homes. Additionally, this study will provide valuable insights into the impact of residential staff social problem-solving skills, group-level social problem-solving skills, and group cohesiveness on the improvement of social problem-solving skills and reductions in aggressive behavior.
Implications:
This study has the potential to inform the development and implementation of community-based programs designed to reduce aggressive behavior among individuals with ID. The findings of this study can inform the development of new interventions and can also help to inform policy decisions related to the care and support of individuals with ID.
This study will provide important insights into the effectiveness of community-based intervention programs in reducing aggressive behavior among individuals with ID living in group homes. By examining the impact of the STEPS program on individual-level outcomes and group-level factors that may contribute to aggressive behavior, this study has the potential to inform the development and improvement of interventions aimed at reducing aggressive behavior among individuals with ID.
Keywords: intellectual disabilities, aggressive behavior, social problem-solving, group homes, community prevention
