Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: Main Research Portfolio

: 1) Journeys Through Inpatient Services in the UK: Experiences of People with an Intellectual Disability and Those That Care for Them: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis; 2) Inclusivity within the Profession of Clinical Psychology: An Exploration of Contextual Markers in Trainee and Qualified Clinical Psychologists; 3) Coming Out Stories as Told by People with an Intellectual Disability: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Abstract

People with intellectual disabilities who identify as LGBTQ+ desire to be in loving and intimate relationships, but their needs often go unmet. There is limited research on how this group have navigated ‘coming out’. This study aimed to understand how five people with intellectual disabilities experienced coming out using interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Three group experiential themes with six subthemes were identified: a dual identity (who am I and who can I be? Double discrimination, the power of a community), a double-edged sword: the fallout of coming out, and the coming out journey (the impact of the system, the role of a catalyst, an unfinished journey).

Findings suggest that people with intellectual disabilities who identify as LGBT+ experience difficulties and positives associated with belonging to two marginalised groups and coming out, which is an ongoing process. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Date of Award	20 Sept 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Cathy Randle-Phillips (Supervisor)