Sexual Experiences of Adolescents With and Without Disabilities: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Variations in the timing of first sexual experiences among populations with physical disabilities in the United States

“…This hypothesis was not supported. Contrary to previous studies which showed that respondents with disabilities exhibited earlier timing of vaginal sex than peers without disabilities (6), we found no significant differences for either the mild or moderate disability groups for any type of sex. We did, however, find differences for the severe disability group, who exhibited a significantly slower progression to first vaginal sex, oral sex, and first sexual experience compared to those without disabilities.…”

“…Of the few studies focused on sexual timing in populations with disabilities, findings suggest differences by disability type (3–5). In their cross-sectional study in Germany, Wienholz and colleagues (6) found that among sexually experienced 14–17 year olds, those with physical disabilities and vision or hearing impairments reported earlier sexual debut than those without disabilities. Sexual timing also varies by biological sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation.…”

“…The life course is also concerned with intersectionality , which proposes that individuals with multiple marginalized identities may experience greater disadvantage than those who only identify with one minority group (16). Based on previous research (6), we hypothesize that those with physical disabilities will exhibit earlier initiation of each sexual experience compared to those without disabilities, but the degree of differences will depend on disability severity. Additionally, consistent with intersectionality (17–19), we hypothesize that relationships between physical disability and sexual timing will be moderated by biological sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation.…”

Adolescent immunisation in young people with disabilities in Australia

“…The importance of HPV immunisation for this population should not be dismissed. People with disabilities have a young age of sexual debut, are more likely to experience unwanted sexual activity and are less likely to utilise health care services than their typically developing peers . Young people with disabilities are therefore at higher risk of both HPV disease transmission and progression than young people without disabilities.…”

Research on Adolescent Sexuality Should Be Inclusive of Disability

“…Disability overlaps with other social statuses such as sexual orientation [21], and this intersectionality has the potential to expand knowledge about service delivery and health equity [22]. Second, the authors suggest that the patterns observed in the longer exposure window of their study-versus previous analyses of sexual behavior and disability [2,3,23,24]-are indicative of changes in sexual behavior over time. Childhood disability may impact life course transitions differently depending on age of onset and type of disability [25]; a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of people with disabilities' relationship trajectories between adolescence and early adulthood can unpack the patterns observed in the 14-year window captured here.…”