Peltopuro, M., Ahonen, T., Kaartinen, J., Seppälä, H., & Vesa Närhi, V. (2014). Borderline intellectual functioning: A systematic literature review. Flashcards
The literature related to people with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) was systematically reviewed in order to summarize the present knowledge. Database searches yielded 1,726 citations, and 49 studies were included in the review. People with BIF face a variety of hardships in life, including neurocognitive, social, and mental health problems. When adults with BIF were compared with the general population, they held lower-skilled jobs and earned less money. Although some risk factors (e.g., low birth weight) and preventive factors (e.g., education) were reported, they were not specific to BIF. The review finds that, despite the obvious everyday problems, BIF is almost invisible in the field of research. More research, societal discussion, and flexible support systems are needed.
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definitie BIF
borderline intellectual functioning
IQ test score that is 1-2 standard deviations below average, 70-85.
prevalentie BIF
13.6%
BIF difficulties throughout life
When they were compared with the general population, neuropsychological, social (more solo-play, less positive parenting, less recognition of facial emotion), and mental health problems were evident. Although employment rates were relatively high, wages were lower than average.
Seltzer et al. (2005) found no differences in the frequency of meeting friends and relatives between high school graduates with BIF and their average-intelligence siblings in adulthood. Additionally, no differences were found in the proportions of people who had the opportunity to turn to friends, parents, siblings, or children in times of trouble. The only difference between groups was observed in the number of organizations participated in, with the BIF group participating in fewer organizations than their siblings.
gelukkig
risk factors for BIF
- low birth weight
- low maternal education
- toxic metals
preventive factors
- education
- social connections
- personal qualities
er is veel te weinig onderzoek naar BIF, voor hoeveel mensen er zijn! en geen goede termen!
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social behaviour differences in BIF
Differences were seen in play behavior, social information processing, recognition of emotions, social participation, and antisocial behavior. Also at risk for poor parenting. Overrepresented in criminal samples. Higher risk for alienation or antisocial behaviour than peers.
Although the adults studied had mostly found their places in the job market, adolescents struggled to find and keep a job. This difference may imply that the transition from adolescence to adulthood is problematic for young people with BIF. It may also reflect changes in the labor market, at least in Western societies. One possible assumption is that, as the requirements for education have increased and the number of lower-skilled jobs has decreased, it has become more difficult for young adults with compromised intellectual functioning and related poor educational attainment to find employment.
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cognitive skills of BIF, MID and SLD (specific learning disorder)
MID < BIF < SLD
wat zijn sociale consequenties van deze findings
In general, the findings of the review showed that the performance level of people with BIF is typically worse than that of their average intelligence peers and better than that of people with MID. The relationship between these groups can be understood as one of being on different points of a continuum of intellectual abilities. However, social support and services do not form a similar continuum, but are delivered on a yes-or-no basis. In order to be eligible for services, certain criteria have to be fulfilled. The critical criterion in the area of compromised intellectual abilities is receiving a diagnosis of ID. If that criterion is met, services are readily provided, income (at least in Finland) is guaranteed with a pension, and expectations for excelling at school and in the labor market are lowered. For people with BIF who do not qualify for those services, the expectations for learning and independent living are similar to those of others, yet their lower intellectual abilities and related learning problems and less-than-optimal adaptive skills hamper their success in these areas. Social support lies behind cut-off lines, in this case behind a diagnosis of ID. Those just above the cut-off line do not have access to help and face high performance expectations.
wat zouden de policies moeten worden
For current policy makers, an important first step would be to acknowledge the existence of this group. The second step should be to decide what actions to take concerning services targeted at BIF. At the moment, there are no official positions regarding BIF or resources appointed for it. This gap leaves local officials to deal with the issue as best as they can and, in the worst case, people with BIF are left without any support.
Despite the obvious, everyday problems that people with BIF face, the issue seems to be almost invisible in the field of research. There is a need for longitudinal and population-based studies focusing on people with BIF. More research on the nature of BIF is needed (e.g., is it a qualitatively different functioning or a developmental lag that explains the differences between subjects?). The critical life periods to study are the transitions from compulsory school to secondary school and from secondary school to the labor market, because these are the points at which adolescents seem to struggle.
In addition, societal discussions of BIF are needed. People with BIF are left without official services in society because they often do not meet the criteria for special services. In reality, they often struggle with the demand to be “normal.” There is a major need for flexible support systems that are based on real needs.
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