Cognitive behavioral therapy as treatment intervention for aggressive behaviors in clients with intellectual disabilities and concomitant mental health conditions

Few researchers have examined the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating aggressive behaviors among individuals with dual diagnosis (intellectual disability and mental health conditions) due to the relatively recent interest in the field of psychopathology in intellectual disability. This study investigated the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating aggressive behaviors among clients with dual diagnoses in a community rehabilitation center, Ibadan, Oyo state, and the moderating effects of parenting style and socioeconomic status in the associations.

A 2 × 2 × 2 pre‑test post‑test factorial design was used. Parenting style and socioeconomic status at two levels each moderated the associations. A sample of 22 participants purposively selected was exposed to treatment using cognitive behavioral therapy, while the other five were exposed to placebo treatment all for 8 weeks. Data collected were analyzed using Line Chart and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).

Improvements were found in the post‑treatment scores obtained on the Aggressive Scale for Youths. A reduction in the Aggressive Incidents chart was recorded for each participant in the treatment group when compared with the control group, using a line chart and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Evidence also demonstrated that parenting style (authoritarian and authoritative), F (1,14) = 0.75, P <.05, η2 =0.05), and socioeconomic status (high and low), F (1,14) = 0.01, P =0.020, η2 =.00), moderated the associations.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is seen as a treatment intervention for individuals with intellectual disability co‑existing with mental health manifesting aggressive behaviors in the community or other settings. This should be used to improve the client’s quality of life under these conditions.