MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    The SOOTHE eQuilt of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Supporting Voice


    Sheerin, Fintan, Buil, Silvia Angel, Salguero, Jose Duran, Lopez, Desiree Ferrer, Foden, Eadaoin, McCann, Edward, Paans, Wolter, Mpundu, Gloria, Peña-Salazar, Carlos, McCallion, Philip and Fleming, Sandra M. (2024) The SOOTHE eQuilt of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Supporting Voice. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 8 (1). pp. 180-191. ISSN 2366-7532

    Abstract

    Objectives People with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to and experience mental health concerns at a higher incidence than their peers without intellectual disabilities. This may be directly related to the aetiology of their intellectual disability but also occur because of negative psychological and social factors that affect their lives, such as loss of self-esteem or lack of meaningful opportunities. The SOOTHE project, sought to understand the meaning that adults with intellectual disabilities attribute to mental health and wellbeing, the factors influencing good and poor mental health, and the strategies they utilised to maintain good mental health and wellbeing. Using an online anonymous survey, participants were invited to electronically submit an image that represented their perspectives on what mental health and wellbeing meant to them. Methods This study, which took place in 2020 during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, employed an anonymous survey approach which resulted in individual images being received from 329 people with intellectual disabilities living in Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland. These were analysed thematically and brought together in an electronic quilt/mosaic. Results Images were classified into seven potential themes: (1) Covid-19 and mental health; (2) maintaining good mental health; (3) activities that promote good mental health; (4) nature and mental health; (5) perspectives on self; (6) the importance of relationships; and (7) home and feeling safe. Conclusions This paper explores the possible meaning of the images and seeks alignment of those meanings with the rights and freedoms enshrined in the UNCRPD. The project supports the belief that persons with intellectual disabilities have an understanding of mental health and wellbeing and are able to identify ways of maintaining positive mental health.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Mental health; Wellbeing; Covid-19; Creative arts; Intellectual disability;
    Academic Unit: Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute
    Subject Areas > Science & Engineering > Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute
    Faculty of Science & Engineering > Research Institutes > Human Health Institute
    Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Nursing
    Item ID: 21460
    Identification Number: 10.1007/s41252-023-00342-5
    Depositing User: Fintan Sheerin
    Date Deposited: 23 Apr 2026 14:47
    Journal or Publication Title: Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
    Publisher: Springer
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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