Professionals, Parents and the General Public: Attitudes Towards the Sexuality of Persons with Intellectual Disability

Tamaš, Daniela; Jovanović, Nina Brkić; Rajić, Milana; Ignjatović, Vojislava Bugarski; Prkosovački, Bojana Perić

doi:10.1007/s11195-018-09555-2

Cited by 41 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Pedersen and Harakopos conducted a study that investigated the specificities of sexual behaviour in persons with ID residing in institutional housing, and their results showed sexual expression was present in 80% of the participants ( 7 ). Stereotypes and prejudices concerning this segment of the population still persist in the wider community, as well as among professionals and parents of persons with ID, especially when it comes to expressing sexuality ( 8 ). Another problem is the lack of information provided to persons with ID concerning their bodies and sexuality ( 9 ), their frequent discouragement and even punishment for trying to express themselves sexually ( 10 ), as well as sexual victimization ( 11 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of a study in Serbia showed the negative attitudes and low level of knowledge in the general population with regard to the sexuality of persons with disabilities, and point to the need for educating parents and professionals on this subject ( 8 ). Although there are programs of sexual education in Serbia which contribute to the improvement of knowledge of sexuality in the general population ( 21 ), these programs are not adapted to persons with ID.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Persons with intellectual disability: Sexual behaviour, knowledge and assertiveness

Brkić-Jovanović

Runjo²,

Tamaš

et al. 2021

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

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Background Persons with ID most often have incomplete, contradictory and imprecise knowledge of sexuality and sexual intercourse itself. They are not provided with sufficient information on their own body and sexuality, and are often discouraged from and sanctioned for trying to sexually express themselves. Sexual abuse due to low sexual assertiveness is also common. Aim The principal aim of this study was to establish the presence or absence of sexual activity in adults with ID residing in institutional housing, as well as the level and structure of their knowledge of sexuality, their sexual assertiveness and preparedness to react in a sexually dangerous situation. Methods The sample consisted of 100 participants with ID residing in institutional housing. The instruments used included the General Sexual Knowledge Questionnaire, What-if test and Hulbert index of sexual assertiveness. Comparative statistics included coefficient of linear correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results The results showed that 82% of the participants are sexually active. Most participants admitted to sometimes having sexual intercourse against their wishes as well as to having difficulty asserting themselves. Their knowledge of pregnancy, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases was very low. Female participants and those that reported having sexual intercourse had more sexual knowledge and were also more sexually assertive. Conclusion Knowledge of sexuality and sexual assertiveness of persons with ID residing in institutional housing is very low. Additional information on sexuality is necessary, as well as support in learning to express their own desires and to deal with unwanted sexual activity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persons with intellectual disability: Sexual behaviour, knowledge and assertiveness

Brkić-Jovanović

Runjo²,

Tamaš

et al. 2021

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

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“…The removal of barriers through the provision of training and education can play a vital role in supporting young people and adults with ID to express their sexual identity and develop fulfilling relationships [ 24 ]. Efforts to educate the wider public about the relationships and sexuality rights of people with ID is also necessary to promote equality and inclusion [ 59 , 60 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Design, Content and Delivery of Relationship and Sexuality Education Programmes for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of the International Evidence

Brown

McCann

Truesdale

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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There is growing empirical evidence regarding the relationship and sexuality experiences and needs of children, young people and adults with intellectual disabilities. A total of twelve papers met the inclusion criteria regarding relationship and sexuality education (RSE) programmes specific to the needs of this population. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed and quality appraisal undertaken. The four themes identified were principles informing RSE programme development, design and content of RSE programmes, delivery of RSE programmes and evaluation of RSE programmes. The discussion presents areas that need to be addressed to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities, their families, carers and professionals are fully involved in the design and delivery of RSE programmes. Further research is required to identify the impact of the programmes and the sustained outcomes achieved. Recommendations are made regarding the activities required to enable the development of evidence-based and person-centred approaches to relationship and sexuality programmes.

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“…Bernert y Ogletree (2013) encontraron que, aunque en las mujeres con DI predominaba su percepción negativa hacia el sexo, iban adquiriendo cierta autodeterminación en su comportamiento sexual. Respecto a los padres, Manor Binyamini y Schreiber Divon (2019) afirman que este colectivo continúa negando la sexualidad y las necesidades sexuales de las personas con DI, persistiendo en ellos las actitudes erotofóbicas (Tamas, Jovanovic, Rajic, Ignjatovic & Prkosovacki, 2019). A todo lo expuesto, Haynes (2016) e investigaciones anteriores (Servais, 2006;Lin, 2009) añaden que las actitudes de los padres actúan como uno de los predictores más reveladores de *p < 0.05 las actitudes de las personas con DI, lo que podría explicar que las actitudes de las personas con DI continúen siendo moderadas.…”

Section: Conclusionesunclassified

“…Estos estereotipos aún están muy presentes en los padres de las personas con DI, quienes siempre han evitado proporcionar información sobre sexualidad a sus hijos por temor a despertar su interés sexual que presumiblemente permanecía latente (Walker-Hirsch, 2007). En varios estudios, los padres declaran no sentirse preparados para proporcionar una educación sexual adecuada a sus hijos con DI, y temen que una conversación sobre sexo solo sirva para estimular un comportamiento sexual desmedido e inaceptable socialmente (Pownall, Jahoda y Hastings, 2012;Tamas, Jovanovic, Rajic, Ignjatovic y Prkosovacki, 2019). Esto ocasiona que se muestren reticentes a la hora de permitirles establecer relaciones íntimas o disfrutar de experiencias sexuales propias, ignorando y limitando su expresión sexual y asumiendo el control de la intimidad de sus hijos (Manor Binyamini y Schreiber Divon, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Comparación entre las actitudes de las personas con discapacidad intelectual hacia la conducta sexual y las de sus padres

García¹,

Llario²,

Mengual³

et al. 2020

Revista INFAD de Psicología

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Tradicionalmente, las personascon discapacidad intelectual han sido privadas del derecho aexpresarsu opinión, desestimando su capacidad de reflexión y haciendo prevalecer su mayor dependencia de los adultos de referencia. En este sentido, aunque cada vez hay una mayor conciencia de los derechos de estas personas, siguen presentes los prejuicios de sus padres hacia la sexualidad de este colectivo. Por este motivo, nos proponemos analizar las actitudes hacia la conducta sexual de las personas con discapacidad intelectual que detentan tanto las personas que integran este colectivo como sus padres. Para ello, se administró una escala breve de actitudes hacia la conducta sexual a una muestra de 360 personas con discapacidad intelectual leve o moderada de entre 19 y 55 años y a 100 padres de entre 28 y 83 años. Los resultados revelan que las personas con discapacidad intelectual presentan actitudes significativamente más liberales que sus padres hacia las conductas de besarse, acariciarse (t = 2.423; p = .016) o realizar prácticas sexuales sin penetración (t = 2.009; p = .045), pero no hacia la práctica del coito vaginal frente a la que ambos colectivos muestran actitudes semejantes (t = .252; p = .802). Estos resultados reflejan no solo la importancia de tener en cuenta las actitudes sobre sexualidad de las personas con discapacidad a la hora de elaborar programas de educación afectivo-sexual adaptados a sus características, sino también el valor de proporcionar los conocimientos y habilidades necesarios a los padres.

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Professionals, Parents and the General Public: Attitudes Towards the Sexuality of Persons with Intellectual Disability

Cited by 41 publications

References 36 publications

Persons with intellectual disability: Sexual behaviour, knowledge and assertiveness

Persons with intellectual disability: Sexual behaviour, knowledge and assertiveness

The Design, Content and Delivery of Relationship and Sexuality Education Programmes for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of the International Evidence

Comparación entre las actitudes de las personas con discapacidad intelectual hacia la conducta sexual y las de sus padres

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