The Effectiveness of Social Stories and Video Modeling in Improving Self-Care Skills in Female Adolescents with Mild Intellectual Disabilities during Menstrual Periods

摘要

Individuals with intellectual disabilities have different needs related to both sexual education and sexual development. This is caused by their significant limitations in intellectual and adaptive functioning. This is especially true for a female, when these limitations raise problems caring for herself during her menstrual period. So far, intervention to address the inability of a female with intellectual disabilities in taking care of themselves during menstruation is more focused on delivering medical procedures or manipulating the menstrual cycle through the provision of drugs such as the contraceptive pill, but these interventions carry a high risk. Therefore, alternative intervention such as psychoeducation is preferable because this intervention has a low risk. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of social stories and video modeling based on social learning theory, and used as an intervention program aimed to improve self-care skills on menstrual care in female adolescent with mild intellectual disabilities. With a single-case study A-B-A design, the mastery of skills on menstrual care were determined using three measures: 1) using a modified menstrual questionnaire; 2) a test on comprehension of self-care skills during menstruation; and 3) a simulation process with two types of sanitary pads (with and without wings) that both were tainted with artificial blood. The result showed: 1) an increase in the score of questionnaires about menstruation; 2) an increase in comprehension on the material; and 3) an increased in behavioral care skills during menstrual period even when the type of sanitary napkins and the bathroom used were different. The intervention program was found to be effective to improve the subject's skills and self-care during a menstrual cycle.