Sexuality in People with Intellectual Disability: Review of Literature

Medina-Rico, Mauricio; López-Ramos, Hugo; Quiñonez, Andrés

doi:10.1007/s11195-017-9508-6

Cited by 60 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This situation seems to favour the emergence of specific knowledge systems and a discourse of expertise that restricts sexuality to a specialised field of intervention. These results are in line with many studies suggesting the lack of confidence among support workers in this sphere and a conception of sexuality often limited to biomedical and reproductive aspects (Medina‐Rico, López‐Ramos, & Quiñonez, ; Saxe & Flanagan, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

An ethical inquiry of support workers' experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in Quebec, Canada

Pariseau‐Legault

Holmes

Ouellet

et al. 2019

Brit J Learn Disabil

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Accessible summary• Support workers' attitudes towards the sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities are important. They can influence the support people with intellectual disabilities receive regarding their affective and sexual life.• Six support workers talked about their personal experiences. They talked about what they found easy and difficult when helping people with intellectual disabilities express their sexual life and needs.• They said that sexuality is a right, a health matter and an important need. They also said it was sometimes difficult to include sexuality in their work.• They also said they often feel insecure and uncertain about how to help because sexuality is a difficult subject to talk about. They wanted to help people make their own decisions, but also wanted to protect them if needed. AbstractBackground: In the last decade, the evolution of support workers' attitudes towards the affective and sexual lives of people with intellectual disabilities has been described as increasingly positive. However, restrictive attitudes targeting affective and sexual life are still documented. Material and methods:This study aimed to explore the ethical implications of support workers' experiences concerning sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in everyday practice. This inquiry was guided by the following research questions: (a) In the context of intellectual disabilities, what meanings do service users' sexuality have for support workers? (b) How are those meanings translated into practice? Inspired by critical phenomenology, in-depth individual interviews with support workers were conducted and analysed. Results: One superordinate theme (Negotiating Interventions) and three themes were identified: "Crossing Organizational Borders," "A Duty to Act Despite Uncertainty" and "Navigating Competing and Contradictory Discourses." Conclusion: Support workers' experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities are influenced by how they define their role in a clinical context. | 117 PARISEAU-LEGAULT ET AL.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

An ethical inquiry of support workers' experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in Quebec, Canada

Pariseau‐Legault

Holmes

Ouellet

et al. 2019

Brit J Learn Disabil

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“…The need to protect them from abuse cannot be based on the denial of a fundamental right: the right to live their sexuality. This topic should be approached in a multidimensional way with adequate supports to address their sexual development and sexuality [ 16 ]. This approach will empower them and will allow them to be included and participate in society while protecting them from the risk of abusive sexual behaviors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Existing systematic reviews focus on sexual abuse experienced during childhood and adulthood [ 7 , 14 ]. Other systematic reviews analyze sexuality issues from a broader perspective, including information, skills, interests, and negative experiences [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Sexual Abuse in Adults with Intellectual Disability: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tomşa

Gutu

Cojocaru

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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This study presents the results of a systematic review on the prevalence of sexual abuse experienced in adulthood by individuals with intellectual disability. An electronic and manual search of academic journals was performed on four databases via EBSCO Host: Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL Full-Text. In addition, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science (core collection) were searched. After an initial selection of 1037 documents, 25 articles remained for quantitative synthesis. The combined prevalence of sexual abuse in adults with intellectual disability was 32.9% (95% CI: 22.7–43.0) and sensitivity analysis revealed that the prevalence was not outweighed by a single study. Overall, the United Kingdom had the highest prevalence (r = 34.1%), and the USA had the lowest (r = 15.2%). The overall prevalence in females was lower (r = 31.8%) than that in males (r = 39.9%). Subgroup analyses revealed that prevalence of sexual abuse was higher in institutionalized individuals. The most prevalent profile of abuser is of a peer with intellectual disability. Prevalence increases from mild to severe levels of intellectual disability and decreases in profound levels. It is also more prevalent when the informant is the individual with intellectual disability than when someone else reports abuse. In sum, one in three adults with intellectual disability suffers sexual abuse in adulthood. Special attention should be paid for early detection and intervention in high risk situations.

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“…In addition, as part of their general training or CPD all health care professionals require education about intellectual disabilities and their specific health needs [ 56 ]. Moreover, parents and families also have education and support needs that may enhance their understanding, attitudes and response regarding the changing needs of children with ID as they mature and develop into adulthood [ 57 ]. Some people with ID may experience challenges in forming and expressing their sexual identity [ 29 ].…”

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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Sexuality in People with Intellectual Disability: Review of Literature

Cited by 60 publications

References 33 publications

An ethical inquiry of support workers' experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in Quebec, Canada

An ethical inquiry of support workers' experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in Quebec, Canada

Prevalence of Sexual Abuse in Adults with Intellectual Disability: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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

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