Adaptation of behavioural activation for adolescents with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and depression

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities are at increased risk for mental health problems and depression. Despite this, there is currently no evidence for effective psychological interventions for treating low mood and depression in this population. Behavioural activation has been identified as an effective intervention for treating depression in autistic adolescents and for adults with intellectual disabilities and may therefore also be suitable for use with adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

The current paper describes an approach taken to adapting an existing behavioural activation intervention used with adults with intellectual disabilities (Beat-It) to be suitable for adolescents, named Beat-Depression (Beat-D). An iterative, three-phase approach was adopted for the adaptation process. The first phase involved review of the Beat-It manual and proposed adaptations by the project team, followed by a second phase consisting of consultations with parents of adolescents with intellectual disabilities and professionals with experience in the field.

The outcomes from phases one and two were incorporated into a final adapted manual for the Beat-D intervention. The intervention is described following the principles of the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist.

Implications for using this adaptation approach more broadly to ensure psychological interventions used with adolescents with intellectual disabilities are suitable and accessible are discussed along with future plans for the evaluation of Beat-D.