An inpatient Healthy Living Group
Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
ISSN: 2044-1282
Article publication date: 3 March 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of a Healthy Living Group (HLG) for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems in an inpatient setting.
Design/methodology/approach
Seven sessions were developed. Each session focussed on a different aspect of healthy living, and used psychoeducation and practical skill building to enable individuals to create personalized healthy living plans. Quantitative post-intervention measures and a qualitative focus group were used to determine group participants’ learning and enjoyment.
Findings
Principles about healthy living were successfully taught in an enjoyable way to individuals with learning disabilities. Factors that enhanced learning and those that created barriers to developing healthy living plans are explored.
Practical implications
Individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems can be supported to develop personalized healthy living plans. Recommendations for further adaptations to the group structure are made, in order to enable others to run successful groups.
Originality/value
The HLG is the first of its kind to be developed for individuals with learning disabilities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank staff and residents for their participation and support. This case study was carried out by the first two authors and was supervised by the third author in the context of placement contracts. There was no external funding.
Citation
Rose, L., Breen, O. and Webb, Z. (2014), "An inpatient Healthy Living Group", Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 128-137. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-02-2013-0014
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited