Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Applied Clinical Psychology ((NSSB))

Abstract

Anxiety disorders and depression in mentally retarded persons have received less attention than other behavior disorders. The inattention is not because anxiety and depression are rare among mentally retarded individuals; survey data indicate that these problems are relatively common. Rather, anxiety disorders and depression may be overlooked because individuals experiencing these problems are less difficult for caretakers to deal with than individuals who are aggressive or noncompliant. Thus, mentally retarded persons with anxiety disorders or depression may be less readily identified and referred for treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abramson, L. Y., Seligman, M. E. P., and Teasdale, J. D. (1978). Learned helplessness in humans: Critique and reformulation. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 87, 49–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1987). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. (3rd ed., rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A., and Barab, P. G. (1973). Processes governing disinhibitory effects through symbolic modeling. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 82, 1–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barrios, B. A., Hartmann, D. P., and Shigetomi, C. (1981). Fears and anxieties in children. In E. J. Mash and L. G. Terdal (Eds.), Behavioral assessment of childhood disorders (pp. 259–304 ). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression: Causes and treatment. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., and Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 4, 561–571.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Begelman, D. A., and Hersen, M. (1971). Critique of Obler and Terwilliger’s “systematic desensitization with neurologically impaired children with phobic disorders.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 37, 10–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bellack, A. S., Hersen, M., and Himmelhoch, J. M. (1981). Social skills training for depression: A treatment manual. JSAS Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology, 10, 92, (#2156).

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson, B. A. (1985). Behavior disorders and mental retardation: Associations with age, sex, and level of functioning in an outpatient clinic sample. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 6, 79–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benson, B. A., Reiss, S., Smith, D. C., and Laman, D. S. (1985). Psychosocial correlates of depression in mentally retarded adults: II. Poor social skills. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 89, 657–659.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berman, M. I. (1967). Mental retardation and depression. Mental Retardation, 5, 19–21.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calamari, J. E., Geist, G. O., and Shahbazian, M. J. (1987). Evaluation of multiple component relaxation training with developmentally disabled persons. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 8, 55–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, G. A., and Cantwell, D. P. (1980). Unmasking masked depression in children and adolescents. American Journal of Psychiatry, 137, 445–449.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casteneda, A., McCandless, B. R., and Palermo, D. S. (1956). The children’s form of the manifest anxiety scale. Child Development, 27, 317–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cautela, J. R., and Groden, J. (1979). Relaxation: A comprehensive manual for adults, children, and children with special needs. Champaign, IL: Research Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuvo, A. J. (1976). Decreasing repetitive behavior in an institutionalized mentally retarded resident. Mental Retardation, 14, 22–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cytryn, L., and McKnew, D. H. (1972). Proposed classification of childhood depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 129, 149–154.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cytryn, L., McKnew, D. H., and Bunney, W. E. (1980). Diagnosis of depression in children: A reassessment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 137, 22–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J. L. (1979). Children’s fears: A developmental comparison of normal and exceptional children. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 135, 11–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duff, R., LaRocca, J., Lizzet, A., Martin, P., Pearce, L., Williams, M., and Peck, C. (1981). A comparison of the fears of mildly retarded adults with children of their mental age and chronological age matched controls. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 12, 121–124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flanigan, P. J., Peters, C. J., and Conry, J. L. (1969). Item analysis of the Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale with the retarded. Journal of Educational Research, 62, 472–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Floor, L., and Rosen, M. (1975). Investigating the phenomenon of helplessness in mentally retarded adults. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 79, 565–572.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foa, E. B., and Steketee, G. S. (1979). Obsessive-compulsives: Conceptual issues and treatment interventions. In M. Hersen, R. M. Eisler, and P. M. Miller (Eds.), Progress in behavior modification (Vol. 8, pp. 1–53 ). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foxx, R. M., and Azrin, N. H. (1973). The elimination of autistic self-stimulatory behavior by overcorrection. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6, 1–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frame, C., Matson, J. L., Sonis, W. A., Fialkov, M. J., and Kazdin, A. E. (1982). Behavioral treatment of depression in a prepubertal child. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 13, 239–243.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., Roy, R. R., and Hemmick, S. (1976). Extinction of a phobia of physical examination in a seven-year-old mentally retarded boy-A case study. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 14, 63–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, W. I. (1967). Occurrence of severe depressive reactions in the mentally retarded. American Journal of Psychiatry, 124, 386–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glennon, B., and Weisz, J. R. (1978). An observational approach to the assessment of anxiety in young children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, 1246–1257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graziano, A. M., and DeGiovanni, I. S. (1979). The clinical significance of childhood phobias: A note on the proportion of child-clinical referrals for the treatment of children’s fears. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 17, 161–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guralnick, M. J. (1973). Behavior therapy with an acrophobic mentally retarded young adult. Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 4, 263–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, M. (1960). A rating scale for depression. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 23, 56–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, J. R. (1979). The potential of relaxation training for the mentally retarded. Mental Retardation, 17, 71–76.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hersen, M., and Bellack, A. S. (1984). Effects of social skill training, amitriptylene, and psychotherapy in unipolar depressed women. Behavior Therapy, 15, 21–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, H. J. (1983). Current trends in the treatment of phobias in autistic and mentally retarded persons. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 9, 191–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, H. J., and Hooper, J. P. (1981). Some issues arising from the desensitization of a dog phobia in a mildly retarded female: Or should we take the bite out of the bark? Australian Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 7, 9–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, H. J., and King, N. J. (1982). The therapeutic management of an autistic child’s phobia using laughter as the anxiety inhibitor. Behavioural Psychotherapy, 10, 364–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., Matson, J. L., and Senatore, V. (1983). Assessment of depression in mentally retarded adults. American Journal of Psychiatry, 140, 1040–1043.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, C. K. (1976). Play desensitization of fear of darkness in preschool children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 14, 79–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koeppen, A. S. (1974). Relaxation training for children. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 9, 14–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovacs, M. (1980/1981). Rating scales to assess depression in school-aged children. Acta Paedopsychiatrica, 46, 305–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laman, D. S., and Reiss, S. (1987). Social skills deficiencies associated with depressed mood in mentally retarded adults. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 92, 224–229.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, P. J. (1971). The application of psychophysiological methods to the study of psychotherapy and behavior change. In A. E. Bergin and S. L. Garfield (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change (pp. 75–125 ). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, P. J., and Lazovik, A. D. (1963). Experimental desensitization of a phobia. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 66, 519–525.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, H. G. (1985). Situational anxiety and everyday life experiences of mildly mentally retarded adults. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 90, 27–33.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, H. G., and Langness, L. L. (1983). Context, ability and performance: Comparison of competitive athletics among mildly mentally retarded and nonretarded adults. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 87, 528–538.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn, P. M., Hoberman, H., Teri, L., and Hautzinger, M. (1985). An integrative theory of depression. In S. Reiss and R. Bootzin (Eds.), Theoretical issues in behavior therapy (pp. 331–359 ). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liberman, R. P., and Raskin, D. E. (1974). Depression: A behavioral formulation. Archives of General Psychiatry, 24, 515–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Libet, J. M., and Lewinsohn, P. M. (1973). Concept of social skill with special reference to the behavior of depressed persons. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 400, 304–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K. (1977). Case report: An attendant-administered contingency management programme for the treatment of a toileting phobia. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research, 21, 283–288.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K. (1978). Treatment of an autistic child’s fear of riding a school bus through exposure and reinforcement. Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 9, 169–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K. (1980). Relaxation training with the developmentally disabled: A reappraisal. Behavior Research of Severe Developmental Disabilities, 1, 191–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansdorf, I. J. (1976). Eliminating fear in a mentally retarded adult by behavioral hierarchies and operant techniques. Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 7, 189–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marks, I. M. (1969). Fears and phobias. New York: American Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L. (1981a). A controlled outcome study of phobias in mentally retarded adults. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 19, 101–107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L. (1981b). Assessment and treatment of clinical fears in mentally retarded children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 14, 287–294.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L. (1982a). The treatment of behavioral characteristics of depression in the mentally retarded. Behavior Therapy, 13, 209–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L. (1982b). Treating obsessive-compulsive behavior in mentally retarded adults. Behavior Modification, 6, 551–567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L. (1983). Depression in the mentally retarded: Toward a conceptual analysis of diagnosis. In M. Hersen, R. M. Eisler, and P. M. Miller (Eds.), Progress in behavior modification (Vol. 15, pp. 57–79 ). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., and Stephens, R. M. (1981). Overcorrection treatment of stereotyped behaviors. Behavior Modification, 5, 491–502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Dettling, J., and Senatore, V. (1979). Treating depression of a mentally retarded adult. British Journal of Mental Subnormality, 16, 86–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Helsel, W. J., Bellack, A. S., and Senatore, V. (1983). Development of a rating scale to assess social skill deficits in mentally retarded adults. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 4, 339–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Senatore, V., Kazdin, A. E., and Helsel, W. T. (1983). Verbal behaviors in depressed and nondepressed mentally retarded persons. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 4, 79–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Kazdin, A. E., and Senatore, V. (1984). Psychometric properties of the psychopathology instrument for mentally retarded adults. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 5, 81–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, C. G., and Levy, L. H. (1961). Response sets and manifest anxiety scores in a retarded population. Child Development, 32, 577–584.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melamed, B. G., and Siegel, L. J. (1975). Reduction of anxiety in children facing hospitalization and surgery by use of filmed modeling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 511–521.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, L. C., Barrett, C. L., Hampe, E., and Noble, H. (1972). Factor structure of childhood fears. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 39, 264–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Novosel, S. (1981). Psychiatric disorder in adults admitted to a hospital for the mentally handicapped. British Journal of Mental Subnormality, 30, 54–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obler, M., and Terwilliger, R. F. (1970). Pilot study on the effectiveness of systematic desensitization with neurologically impaired children with phobic disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 34, 314–318.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • endick, T. H. (1979). Fear reduction techniques with children. In M. Hersen, R. M. Eisler, and P. M. Miller (Eds.), Progress in behavior modification (Vol. 8, pp. 127–168 ). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paykel, E. S., Myers, J. K., Dienelt, M. N., Klerman, G. L., Lindenthal, J. J., and Pepper, M. P. (1969). Life events and depression: A controlled study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 21, 753–760.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peck, C. L. (1977). Desensitization for the treatment of fear in the high level adult retardate. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 15, 137–148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Philips, I. (1967). Psychopathology and mental retardation. American Journal of Psychiatry, 124, 29–35.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Philips, I., and Williams, N. (1975). Psychopathology and mental retardation: A study of 100 mentally retarded children: I. Psychopathology. American Journal of Psychiatry, 132 (12), 1265–1271.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pirodsky, D. M., Gibbs, J. W., Hesse, R. A., Hsieh, M. C., Krause, R. B., and Rodriquez, W. H. (1985). Use of the dexamethasone suppression test to detect depressive disorders of mentally retarded individuals. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 90, 245–252.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H. C. (1979). Classification. In H. C. Quay and J. Werry (Eds.), Psychopathological disorders of childhood (pp. 1–42 ). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H. C., and Gredler, Y. (1981). Dimensions of problem behavior in institutionalized retardates. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 9, 523–528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, A. H. (1972). Psychoses in adult mental defectives: I. Manic depressive psychosis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 120, 205–212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, A. H. (1980). Psychiatric disorders in mentally handicapped children: A clinical and follow-up study. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research, 24, 287–298.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, A. H., and Naylor, G. J. (1976). Short-cycle manic depressive psychosis in mental defectives: A clinical and physiological study. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research, 20, 67–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiss, S., and Benson, B. A. (1985). Psychosocial correlates of depression in mentally retarded adults: I. Minimal social support and stigmatization. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 89, 331–337.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, W. M. (1987). Reynolds adolescent depression scale. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, W. M., and Miller, K. L. (1983). Mastery orientation inventory. Madison, WI: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, W. M., and Miller, K. L. (1985). Depression and learned helplessness in mentally retarded and nonmentally retarded adolescents: An initial investigation. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 6, 295–306.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, S. A., Katz, M., Koller, H., McLaren, J., and Rubenstein, B. (1979). Some characteristics of a population of mentally retarded young adults in a British city. A basis for estimating some service needs. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research, 23, 275–285.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rickard, H. C., Thrasher, K. A., and Elkins, P. D. (1984). Responses of persons who are mentally retarded to four components of relaxation instruction. Mental Retardation, 5, 248–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivenq, B. (1974). Behavioral therapy of phobias: A case with gynecomastia and mental retardation. Mental Retardation, 12, 44–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runyan, M. C., Stevens, D. H., and Reeves, R. (1985). Reduction of avoidance behavior of institutionalized mentally retarded adults through contact desensitization. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 90, 222–225.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saylor, C. F., Finch, A. J., Spiroto, A., and Bennett, B. (1984). The children’s depression inventory: A systematic evaluation of psychometric properties. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 955–967.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schloss, P. J. (1982). Verbal interaction patterns of depressed and nondepressed institutionalized mentally retarded adults. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 3, 1–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P. (1975). Helplessness: On depression, development, and death. San Francisco, CA: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Senatore, V., Matson, J. L., and Kazdin, A. E. (1985). An inventory to assess psychopathology of mentally retarded adults. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 89, 459–466.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sovner, R., and Hurley, A. D. (1983). Do the mentally retarded suffer from affective illness? Archives of General Psychiatry, 40, 61–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sovner, R., Hurley, A. D., and LaBrie, R. (1985). Is mania incompatible with Down’s syndrome? British Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 319–320.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D. (1973). State-trait anxiety inventory for children (STAIC) preliminary manual. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternlicht, M. (1979). Fears of institutionalized mentally retarded adults. Journal of Psychology, 101, 67–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walk, R. D. (1956). Self ratings of fear in a fear-invoking,situation. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 52, 171–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waranch, H. R., Iwata, B. A., Wohl, M. K., and Nidiffer, F. D. (1981). Treatment of a retarded adult’s mannequin phobia through in vivo desensitization and shaping approach responses. Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 12, 359–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weisz, J. R. (1979). Perceived control and learned helplessness among mentally retarded and nonretarded children: A developmental analysis. Developmental Psychology, 15, 311–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, B., and Jackson, H. J. (1980). An in vivo approach to the desensitization of a retarded child’s toilet phobia. Australian Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 6, 137–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpe, J. (1969). The practice of behavior therapy. New York: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpe, J., and Lang, P. J. (1964). A fear survey schedule for use in behavior therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 2, 27–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Youngren, M. A., and Lewinsohn, P. M. (1980). The functional relationship between depression and problematic interpersonal behavior. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 9, 333–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zung, W. W. K. (1965). A self-rating depression scale. Archives of General Psychiatry, 12, 63–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Benson, B.A. (1990). Emotional Problems I Anxiety Disorders and Depression. In: Matson, J.L. (eds) Handbook of Behavior Modification with the Mentally Retarded. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2501-5_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2501-5_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-2503-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-2501-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics