Measuring psychological change in offenders with intellectual disabilities and alcohol misuse using repertory grids: two case examples

Abstract

Measuring psychological change in offenders with intellectual disabilities undergoing psychological therapy presents the clinician with a variety of challenges. They include finding measures sensitive enough to measure the often modest cognitive changes that take place over the course of psychological therapy and finding measures appropriate to use with this client group. Little is known about the use of alcohol in offenders with intellectual disabilities. Repertory grids, based on Kelly's (1955) theory of personality, have been shown to be an adaptable, sensitive, reliable and valid measure of psychological change. Two case examples are used to show how repertory grids can be used to assess the treatment gains made by patients undergoing different (though similar) psychological interventions aimed at reducing alcohol misuse.

Citation

Mason, J. (2008), "Measuring psychological change in offenders with intellectual disabilities and alcohol misuse using repertory grids: two case examples", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 37-44. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636646200800024