This study focuses on the assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms following stressful life events in children (12+) and adults with mild intellectual disability (MID) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and mental health problems. Stressful life events are events that do not fit criterion A of PTSD in the DSM-5-TR but are perceived as negative by the person. There is an ongoing debate regarding the predictive validity and usefulness of criterion A as a gate criterion for PTSD and the consequences of whether Criterion A has been fulfilled for assessment and treatment. This discussion is particularly important for individuals with ID, as they are more vulnerable to experiencing stressful life events and to the consequences of such events than people without ID. A better understanding of the impact (i.e. PTSD symptoms) of stressful life events on people with ID is important because it enables access to trauma-focused treatments in the absence of a PTSD classification.
This study starts with a scoping review of the literature on the relationship between stressful life events, PTSD symptoms and mental health in people with ID-BIF. The second aim is to compare frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms following traumatic versus stressful index events in people with MID-BIF using a Bayesian approach. Third, we will examine whether EMDR therapy is feasible and potentially effective for the treatment of PTSD symptoms and comorbid psychopathology following stressful life events in people with MID-BIF using a Single Case Experimental Design. The fourth aim is to examine the feasibility and course of physiological stress indicators during and across EMDR therapy sessions using biosensors. Finally, we are using qualitative research to explore how people with MID-BIF think individual and contextual factors play a role in assessing stressful versus traumatic events, and their experiences of EMDR therapy.

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