Time to prioritise the use of participatory research methods for people with intellectual disabilities

Br J Psychiatry. 2025 May 21:1-3. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2025.96. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

People with intellectual disability experience significant health inequality, and consequently poor health outcomes. Although research can facilitate change, there is a risk of researchers propagating inequity by selecting methods that exclude people with some forms of intellectual disability. We argue for participatory research methods that enable inclusion.

Keywords: Intellectual disability; ethics; human rights; mental health services; qualitative research.