Abstract
Problem Identification The incidence of depression is 25% higher in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) than in those without disabilities. Depression often co-occurs with health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, which also disproportionately affect people with IDD. Over-prescription of psychotropic medication is also a risk due to professionals' lack of knowledge about their disability and treatment approaches.
Analysis Using the Precede-Proceed Model and the Socio-Ecological Model, genetic factors relating to limitations in emotion regulation, positive health behaviors, such as meditation, and challenging sleep environments due to noise in the living environment were identified as determinants influencing depression in people with IDD.
Intervention Proposal The intervention suggests two strategies - health education and organizational policy - targeting three levels of the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM): individual, interpersonal, and organizational. The health education program involves a six-week meditation program and a lesson on sound hygiene for individuals with IDD and their direct support professionals (DSP). Organizations supporting these individuals will receive a policy template outlining tracking procedures of DSP encouragement of meditation practice.
Implementation and Evaluation The intervention targets genetic factors related to limitations in emotion regulation, positive health behaviors, and challenging sleep environments. This intervention is a non-experimental design using qualitative and quantitative data evaluating the process and impact. Methods used will include a pre-test, and post-test measuring changes in objectives, follow-up contacts to participants and organizations, and process evaluation tasks, including project timeline, process checklists, expert observations, and participant satisfaction.