Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: A Review

Depression is common in individuals with intellectual disabilities, but evidence regarding treatment for this population is lacking. Through a systematic literature review of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with individuals with intellectual disabilities, a total of six studies were identified that used pretest-post-test nonequivalent control group designs. Effect sizes ranged from negligible to large. Given design limitations of these studies, CBT may be feasible but it cannot currently be considered an empirically supported treatment for depression in individuals with intellectual disabilities. Further research and study designs are discussed.