Projects

Projects for and with people with intellectual disabilities

Mental health in people with intellectual disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be mentally ill or mentally healthy, just like everyone else. However, there is no established theory, model, or definition of mental health for people with ID. According to existing definitions, people with ID could never be mentally healthy. This is a serious gap in basic theory that leads to discrimination against people with ID.

For this group of people, there are hardly any scientifically sound, high-quality and appropriate strategies to promote mental health and prevent mental illness, because it is not yet clear what constitutes mental health in people with intellectual disability and how it could be optimally promoted.

The main objective of this project is to develop a definition of mental health that is applicable to people with intellectual disability.

To achieve this goal, we work closely with people with intellectual disabilities: Four co-researchers with learning disabilities support us as experts in their own right throughout all phases of the project. A personal insight into this collaboration is provided by a YouTube video from Mitsprache TV, in which they, along with master's student Sandra Lugmayr, discuss in german what mental health means for people with intellectual disabilities and why collaboration in the project is so important.

Project Overview

Project Lead: Elisabeth Zeilinger

Project Duration: 16.01.2023 - 30.06.2026

Contact: dis-ability.psychologie@univie.ac.at

This project is supported and fully funded through the FWF’s ESPRIT program.

Breast cancer screening for women with intellectual disabilities.

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) face numerous barriers to their health and healthcare. Breast cancer is the most common cancer with the highest mortality rate among women, although national breast cancer screening programs have proven effective.

However, international data suggest that women with IB are less likely to participate in screening programs and breast cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage , which is associated with a worse prognosis and results in higher mortality rates.

In Austria, there are currently no data on the participation of women with IB in the national breast cancer screening program or on relevant factors that promote or hinder participation.

The objectives of the project are to assess the participation rate of women with ID in the Austrian breast cancer screening program, to identify supporting and hindering factors , and to identify needs for successful participation.

Project Overview

Project Lead: Elisabeth Zeilinger

Project Duration: 01.11.2023 - 21.12.2025

Contact: prev-id@psychologie@univie.ac.at

Further Informationen: Disability Studies Austria - Blogbeitrag (in german)

Information brochure on breast cancer prevention in easy-to-read language:

Info brochure about breast cancer and breast cancer prevention (in german)

This project is funded by the “Vienna Fund for Innovative Interdisciplinary Cancer Research.

Colorectal cancer screening for people with intellectual disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) face numerous barriers to their health and healthcare. Colorectal cancer is among the cancers with the highest prevalence, incidence, and mortality.

In Austria, there have recently been efforts to plan and implement a nationwide colon cancer screening program to improve early detection and reduce the mortality rate.

Although screening programs have been proven effective, international data suggest that people with ID are far less likely to take advantage of screening programs. This leads to later-stage diagnosis and a worse prognosis. However, there is a lack of research addressing the specific barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer screening for people with ID.

The objectives of the project are to identify the needs of people with intellectual disability to effectively participate and be included in an organized colorectal cancer screening program, and to investigate the facilitators and barriers to participation from the perspective of people with intellectual disability and support persons.

Project Overview

Project Cooperation: Das Projekt findet in Kooperation mit der Medizinischen Universität Wien statt.

Project Lead: Elisabeth Zeilinger

Project Duration: 01.04.2023 - 21.10.2024

Contact: prev-id@psychologie@univie.ac.at

Further Informationen: Disability Studies Austria - Blog post (in german)

The project was funded by a research grant from the Austrian Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (ÖGHO).

Advance Care Planning in individuals with intellectual disabilities

Advance care planning (ACP) is central to person-centered care at the end of life , but is rarely implemented for people with intellectual disabilities. A deeper understanding of caregivers' perspectives is crucial for identifying barriers and enabling conditions and for targeted practice improvements.

The aim of the study was to capture the experiences and assessments of nursing staff regarding ACP for people with intellectual disabilities in Austria – with a focus on use, barriers, supporting factors and concrete starting points for better implementation.

The data were collected via a structured online survey as part of a cross-sectional study and evaluated using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Project Overview

Project Lead : Elisabeth Zeilinger

Employee: Lena Simeoni

Project Duration : 2023 - 2024

Contact: elisabeth.zeilinger@univie.ac.at

Quality of life in people with intellectual disabilities and high support needs
at HABIT

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) face unique challenges in their everyday lives. Therefore, it is the responsibility of social service providers to develop, regularly review, and adapt specific support measures accordingly.

Part of this task is to regularly and appropriately assess the quality of life of clients. The clientele supported by HABIT primarily consists of people with severe intellectual disabilities, yet hardly any methods exist to assess the quality of life of people with these needs.

However, quality of life plays a central role in the quality assurance of support services, which is why a scientifically sound basis for the survey is necessary.

The aim of the project is to develop and implement a quality of life assessment specifically tailored to the target group so that the current situation and the needs of HABIT's customers can be presented as representatively and truthfully as possible.

Project Overview

Project Lead: Elisabeth Zeilinger

Project Duration: 05/2023 - 10/2024

Client: Andreas Kauba

Project Material: Both versions of the questionnaires are available for download (in german): a Yes/No version and a multiple choice-version.

Projects Partners: Clinical Research Team at Haus der Barmherzigkeit Seeböckgasse; Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna; Academy for Aging Research at Haus der Barmherzigkeit; Haus der Barmherzigkeit Integration Team (HABIT)

Contact: elisabeth.zeilinger@univie.ac.at

Further Research Areas

In this area, we are researching the psychosocial impact of the new Austrian dying directive law, which allows assisted suicide under certain conditions.

The aim is to create scientific foundations for responsible implementation in practice and society.

Current Projects

The new assisted dying law from the perspective of healthcare workers in Austria

This cross-sectional study examines how nurses in Austria experience the End-of-Life Directive Act, which has been in effect since 2022, and their experiences with assisted suicide. Based on an online survey of 280 nurses from the hospice and palliative care sector, attitudes, moral concerns, and subjective well-being are analyzed in the context of the new law.

The focus is on how well nurses feel prepared for discussions on this topic, what support they have received so far, and the extent to which they should be involved in decision-making processes. The goal is to highlight the need for action in training, information, and interdisciplinary collaboration to better prepare nurses for these new challenges and further improve the quality of end-of-life care for patients.

Learn more

We investigate how physical, psychological, and social factors influence the quality of life of older people in long-term care.

The aim is to develop practical approaches to promote well-being, social participation and healthy everyday life in old age.

Current Projects

Quality of life, nutritional status, and subjective eating experience in long-term care

The study investigates the relationship between quality of life, subjective eating experiences, and objective nutritional status among residents of two long-term care facilities in Vienna. Standardized questionnaires and objective measurement instruments were used to systematically assess both individual perceptions and physical nutritional status.

The aim is to identify concrete approaches to improving nutrition, daily routine and care in long-term care and thus sustainably promote quality of life.

Project management: Dr. Elisabeth Zeilinger

Employee: Alma Hersovici

Dance interventions in older adults: A systematic review on the use of tango and salsa in geriatrics

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of dance interventions – particularly tango and salsa – in older people.

The aim is to evaluate the impact of these rhythmic movement forms on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health parameters in geriatrics. In addition to motor and cardiovascular effects, aspects such as quality of life, social participation, and well-being are also considered. The goal is to derive evidence-based recommendations for the targeted use of movement-oriented, music-supported interventions in geriatric care.

Project management: Dr. Elisabeth Zeilinger

Our geriatric cooperation projects are under the direction of Prim. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Matthias Unseld , PhD, Medical Director at House of Barmherzigkeit Seeböckgasse , and are carried out in cooperation with the

Academy for Age Research at Haus der Barmherzigkeit.

These address nutrition, medication management, quality of care and other key issues in geriatric medicine.

The aim is to specifically improve the care of older people through empirically based approaches and to sustainably promote their quality of life.

Current Projects

From Hospital to Home: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Optimise Palliative Care Discharge Processes

This qualitative study examines the transition from inpatient palliative care to home care. Guided interviews with 28 patients, relatives, and professionals revealed key barriers such as late or unstructured discharge processes, a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration, and inadequate preparation of caregivers.

The results show that standardized protocols, early planning, structured communication, and better integration of mobile services are crucial to ensure continuity of care, avoid readmissions, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.