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‘Love makes me feel good inside and my heart is fixed’: what adults with intellectual disabilities have to say about love and relationships
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, early cite May 2021,
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities have historically been hindered, rather than supported, in their desire to form loving relationships. This paper sought to explore with them what kinds of support they wanted in the 21st Century. Method: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 adults with intellectual disabilities in the United Kingdom. Results: Participants placed a high value on having a partner and being supported to maintain and develop a loving relationship. The factors which constrained them in achieving this included a lack of social opportunities, barriers created by social care services and limits on them exercising autonomy. Facilitating factors included access to specialist dating agencies, strong family and staff support and opportunities to learn about relationships. Conclusions: The importance of a loving relationship as a source of pleasure and meaning in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities who are often disadvantaged in many other spheres of life is emphasised. (Edited publisher abstract)
Discussing the menopause with women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, MILLARD Lorraine
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 31(1), 2003, pp.9-17.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Traditionally, little attention has been paid to the menopause as it affects women with learning disabilities. Consequently, older women with learning disabilities have rarely been adequately prepared for, or supported through, what for most women is a significant 'change of life'. None of the existing literature focuses on the women's perspectives, but rather, looks at menopause from a medical angle, in particular focusing on the timing of onset. The research study described in the present paper is an attempt to gain some insights into the ways in which women with learning disabilities perceive the menopause. The main informants were women with learning disabilities themselves, but also general practitioners, staff in learning disability services and parents who still cared for their middle-aged daughters at home. The research project also involved the non-disabled researchers working alongside two groups of women with learning disabilities, who acted as advisors and consultants to the project.
Sexuality and women with learning disabilities
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 288p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Study of women with mild and moderate learning difficulties. Investigates how they experience their sexual lives, based on interviews with the women themselves. Argues the importance of informing the work of those responsible at research, practice and policy levels with the voices of people with learning difficulties. Also looks at sexual abuse, and the impact of institutional and community settings on the sexuality of women with learning difficulties.
User focus groups and Best Value in services for people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- CAMBRIDGE Paul, McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 9(6), November 2001, pp.476-489.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Examines the problems and potentials of employing user focus groups as part of an approach to defining and reviewing Best Value in local authority and jointly commissioned services for people with learning disabilities. Drawing on experience from three local authority initiatives and wider experience with Best Value, the article describes the development of user focus groups for helping review adult placement, outreach and day services for people with learning disabilities. The key methodological considerations for consulting with service users with learning disabilities through focus groups are identified and the interpretation of outcomes considered. Concludes with pointers for the effective operation of user focus groups in local authority Best Value reviews of services for people with learning disabilities, of use to practitioners, service managers and commissioners.