Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Psychosocial Research for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

People with intellectual disabilities often experience challenges to participation in psychosocial research. This review examined the barriers and facilitators affecting their participation.

METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Databases searched included: PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. A narrative synthesis structured using the Socio-Ecological Model, considering levels of influence-intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy-was used.

RESULTS

There were specific and shared barriers and facilitators for different levels of influence involved in psychosocial research. Contradictions between levels of influence, including beliefs about attitudes, views around harms, and the use of incentives, are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of targeting levels of influence utilising different methods to improve the participation of adults with intellectual disabilities in psychosocial research is highlighted.