The Relationship Between Problem-Solving Ability and Self-Harm Amongst People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression, hopelessness, problem-solving ability and self-harming behaviours amongst people with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs).


METHODS
Thirty-six people with mild IDs (77.9% women, Mage  = 31.77, SD = 10.73, MIQ  = 62.65, SD = 5.74) who had a history of self-harm were recruited. Participants were asked to complete measures of depression, hopelessness and problem-solving ability.


RESULTS
Cutting was most frequently observed, and depression was prevalent amongst the sample. There was a significant positive relationship between depression and hopelessness, while there was no significant relationship between self-harm and depression or hopelessness. Problem-solving ability explained 15% of the variance in self-harm scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Problem-solving ability appears to be associated with self-harming behaviours in people with mild IDs.
University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust, Norfolk, UK.
Joanna
J
Rees
Tizard Centre, University of Kent, UK and Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Norfolk, UK.
Peter E
PE
Langdon
D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude / Q000502:physiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
depression; learning disabilities; neurodevel-opmental disorders; problem-solving task (PST); self-harm; self-injury