Identifier

etd-11052004-113146

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Individuals with intellectual disabilities have been linked to higher incidences of a variety of mental illnesses when compared to the general population (Rutter, Tizard, Yule, Graham, & Whitmore, 1976; and Borthwick-Duffy, 1994). Because of the symptoms associated with mental retardation; such as limited social skills, delayed or minimal communication skills, and maladaptive behaviors, mental illness can be difficult to assess when combined with an intellectual disability (Sovner, 1986). Currently there is no available mechanism for diagnosing sleep disorders in adults with severe and profound mental retardation. The purpose of the first study is to provide validation of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (Matson, 1995) sleep subscale. The items of the subscale were compared to daily records of sleep behavior. Research about sleep disorders and mental retardation is sparse, and most of the available research focuses on the sleeping patterns of children with mental retardation (Stores, 1992). The second study attempts to provide exploratory data about sleep disorders and their relationship to high risk behavior problems in adults with severe and profound mental retardation, living in an institution. The overall presence of a sleep disturbance, as well as more specific topographies of sleep disturbances were examined.

Date

2004

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Johnny L. Matson

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.2591

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Psychology Commons

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