Differences in Sexual Behavior of Teenagers and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy: The Role of Sexual Needs and Sexual Esteem

Abstract

Sexuality is an inherent attribute of all human beings regardless of their race, religion and the level of physical fitness. The way it is perceived and manifested is determined by a number of biopsychosocial factors. In some people, including persons with cerebral palsy, the factors and their influence are rooted in the psychophysical condition of the human body. The aim of this study was to answer the question about how the levels of sexual esteem and sexual needs differentiate the sexual behaviors of young people with cerebral palsy. The study being presented was conducted with 62 young persons with cerebral palsy (half women and half men), who were selected using purposive sampling. They were aged 15–25 years and were individuals without cognitive difficulties. The research tool used was the Cerebral Palsy Individual’s Sexual Behavior Questionnaire developed by the authors. The findings of the study showed that half of the participants engaged in various sexual behaviors from the list that was presented to them. The frequencies of these engagements depended on the levels of their sexual esteem and sexual needs. Persons characterized by high levels of sexual esteem and sexual needs (much fewer than those with the low levels of both characteristics) engaged in sexual behaviors significantly more frequently. The most frequent among them was direct engagement in sexual activity (petting and sexual intercourse; p ≤ .001) and then exposure to sexually explicit magazines or films (p ≤ .05).

Sexual Behaviors and Sexual Perceptions of Portuguese Adults with Physical Disabilities

“…Regarding sexual behaviors, kissing, touching, and caressing, receiving stimulation of erogenous zones and performing oral sex were the most frequently reported sexual activities by participants. This finding is supported by the results of earlier studies [29][30][31], which indicated that people with physical disabilities have significantly lower odds of partaking in sexual activities that involve penetration and greater chances of not engaging in sex, at all. Nevertheless, the vast majority of those who reported not having sex stated that this was because of a lack of opportunity or lack of a partner.…”

Determination of sexual developmental characteristics of adolescents with intellectual disabilities

“…Sexual developments in individuals with intellectual disabilities are not much different from the sexual developments in other individuals. However, individual differences make the sexual experience and the changes occurring in this period different as well (Ariadni et al, 2017; Czapla and Otrębski, 2018; Gordon et al, 2004). Seyyar (2012) stated that most of the parents were uncomfortable with the interest in sexuality that their children with intellectual disabilities had, and felt helpless in this situation.…”

“…Appropriate sexual education programs should be prepared for the sustainability of health in adolescents with intellectual disabilities to include sex differences, knowledge of one’s body, sexual satisfaction capability, genital hygiene, the physical and physiological changes of adolescence, sexuality information, and information about sexual abuse (Bork, 2017; Isler et al, 2009; Servais, 2006). In cases where the sexual health education needed by these adolescents cannot be provided, risks including sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, low self-respect, social isolation and a generally low quality of life are known to be increasing (Czapla and Otrębski, 2018; Sinclair et al, 2015; Sweeney, 2008; Taleporos and McCabe, 2005). Clatos and Asare (2016) found that a sexual education program had a positive effect on the knowledge of sexuality and on the sexual communication behavior of parents of children with disabilities.…”

Sexual health problems in patients with motor disabilities in Poland

“…In the H-SE&SN subgroup most respondents (nearly 60.00%) went out on dates 'sometimes' , as many as 54.50% had already been in a few (2-3) relationships, and half of them had had their sexual initiation after 20 years of age. In contrast, in the L-SN&SE subgroup, 28.20% dated 'sometimes' , almost 48.70% of respondents had never had a partner, and 71.70% had not had their sexual initiation yet [20]. This indicates that persons with disabilities as a group are very diverse and should always be treated with a personalized approach.…”