The application of positive psychology and self-determination to research in intellectual disability: A content analysis of 30 years of literature

2007

In recent decades, there have been shifts in the conceptualization of mental retardation and increased attention has been directed toward the importance of identifying and capitalizing on the strengths and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities. However, there is little data pertaining to the frequency with which research in the field of mental retardation has been influenced by these new conceptualizations. This paper reports the results of a thirty-year review of the literature to examine the degree to which research in the field has emphasized the strengths and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as the degree to which this literature base has included constructs that fall within the parameters of positive psychology. Our review found that there has been a shift toward a research focus on the capacities of people with intellectual disability. Additionally, there is a growing body of research that focuses on constructs within the parameters of positive psychology. However, such research still represents a minority of the research in the field.

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals Published/In Press

Professionals, Students

Electronic (disc, CD, 508 compliant web posting)

N/A