Understanding violence when the perpetrator has an intellectual disability: The perceptions of professionals

Abstract

Aim:

The research sought to enhance professional understanding of the violence perpetrated by some people with an intellectual disability.

Background:

The violent behaviour exhibited by some people with intellectual disabilities remains poorly understood, particularly with regard to a clear and informative definition.

Design:

A qualitative study investigated the views and perceptions of professionals working directly with people with an intellectual disability in different settings.

Methods:

Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were undertaken with professionals from a variety of backgrounds, and four themes were generated through data analysis.

Findings:

Themes produced comprised the degree of intellectual disability, impulsivity, intentionality and unpredictability. Findings indicated tension between understanding violence as purposeful and explaining it in relation to the intellectual disability and/or additional conditions.

Conclusion:

Intellectual disability is central to understanding the impact of the other three themes, though there is a professional reluctance to use such knowledge as evidence to inform practice.