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Attitudes of social service providers towards the sexuality of individuals with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- BAZZO Giuseppe, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20(2), March 2007, pp.110-115.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The sexual lives of people with intellectual disability is made complex by the involvement and influence of social service providers, whose beliefs and values have a great impact on the support they provide. This Italian study describes attitudes of social service providers towards the sexuality of individuals with disability measured by 20 items of Sexuality and Mental Retardation Attitudes Inventory (SMRAI). The participants were staff, 216 social service providers from residential centres, day centres, and outpatient treatment services. Results suggested that the social service providers participating in this research study tended to have moderately liberal attitudes. Educational level and role carried out did not produce differences in their attitudes. A significant difference emerged between those who operated in different services. It was especially the staff of the outpatient treatment services who revealed the most liberal and positive attitudes towards the sexuality of individuals with intellectual disability. The data reported in the present study seem to underline some differences between the data collected from the Italian and the Anglo-Saxon social service providers. Failure to record influences associated with the role carried out and previous training could be related to the different contextual differences. Results suggest that particular attention should be paid to the training of those who hold managerial posts in Italian residential services.
Physical activity engagement in young people with Down Syndrome: investigating parental beliefs
- Authors:
- ALESI Marianna, PEPI Annamaria
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(1), 2017, pp.71-83.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Despite the wide documentation of the physical/psychological benefits derived from regular physical activity (PA), high levels of inactivity are reported among people with Down syndrome. This study aims to explore parental beliefs concerning involvement, facilitators/barriers and benefits of PA in young people. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 parents of young people with Down syndrome. Results: Three facilitation themes were identified: (i) the support derived from family; (ii) the availability of APA (Adapted Physical Activity) expert instructors and coaches; (iii) the challenging nature of sport activities. Three barrier themes were identified: (i) the lack of APA expert coaches and specialized gyms; (ii) the characteristics of Down syndrome; and (iii) the parental beliefs and worries. Conclusions: Family plays a key role, as facilitator and barrier, to the participation of their children with Down syndrome in PA. Crucial is the implementation of evidence-based exercise programmes involving people with Down syndrome and their families. (Publisher abstract)