Effects of a Psychotherapeutic Pathway Based on Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Creative Contact with Nature in People with Mild Intellectual Disability

Authors: Vaccaro M* , Nicolosi D , Aiello N , Macmillan K , Vaccaro P , Iona T , Fruci GM and Agnesone M

DOI: 10.23880/eoij-16000338

Volume 9, Issue 1

Abstract

Mild intellectual disability is characterized by a limited ability to adapt to novel situations and difficulties in managing emotions. Common challenges faced by individuals with mild intellectual disability include difficulty managing anger and reduced psychological flexibility, factors that can hinder their ability to cope with daily challenges and negatively impact their quality of life. The current study demonstrates that an integrated psychotherapeutic program, incorporating Mindfulness exercises, the third-generation cognitive-behavioural approach known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and interactions with nature inspired stimuli either imagined or co-created with the participant (for example billboards depicting sea or mountain landscapes, plants present in the psychotherapeutic work context, background nature sounds, etc.), can enhance psychological flexibility, anger management skills, reduce perceived stress, and improve subjective well-being in individuals with mild intellectual disability. The sample, consisting of 20 people with mild intellectual disability aged 17-26 years showed significant improvements after the intervention. These results fill the existing gap in the literature. Historically, research has often emphasized the limitations associated with patients’ cognitive impairments, overlooking their inherent strengths and underutilizing their personal resources. As a result, reduced cognitive ability has frequently been cited as a barrier to benefiting from psychological counselling, leading to limited therapeutic options being offered to this population

Keywords: Disability; ACT; Mindfulness; Flexibility; Nature

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