ORCID
- Rohit Shankar: 0000-0002-1183-6933
Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Psychotropics (sometimes off-label), mental health diagnoses and behaviours of concern are common in olderadults with intellectual disability. Guidelines recommend non-pharmacological interventions and regular medication review.This study examined changes in psychotropics among older adults (≥40) with intellectual disability.Methods: Longitudinal data were obtained from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study onAgeing (IDS-TILDA) at two timepoints [Wave 1(2009/10); Wave 4(2019/20)]. Post hoc analysis, Chi-squared tests and univariatebinary logistic regression were conducted.Results: Overall, psychotropics decreased (59.2% to 56.5%). Significant decreases in antipsychotics (43.1%–40.1%) and sedatives/hypnotics (13.6%–8.1%) and significant increase in antidepressants (26.2%–31.8%) were found. Nearly half of antidepressant usersreported depression at Wave 1, compared with under 30% at Wave 4. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were common (75% and60%, respectively) among those with behaviours of concern, after excluding clinical indications.Conclusion: Psychotropic prescribing remained consistent, though class-specific patterns shifted, with some decreases or increases observed.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2026-01-29
Publication Title
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Volume
39
Issue
1
ISSN
1360-2322
Acceptance Date
2025-12-17
Deposit Date
2026-01-31
Funding
This EQUIP study is funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) Secondary Data Analysis Award (SDAP-2021-016). IDS-TILDA is funded by the Health Research Board and the Department of Health (IDS-TILDA-2018-1).
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Shankar, R. (2026) 'Changing Patterns of Psychotropics Use Among Older Adults With Intellectual Disability Over a Decade, With a Focus on Designated Mental Health Conditions', Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 39(1). Available at: 10.1111/jar.70182
