Staff attitudes towards sexuality in relation to gender of people with intellectual disability: a qualitative study

Authors:
YOUNG Rhea, GORE Nick, McCARTHY Michelle
Journal article citation:
Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37(4), December 2012, pp.343-347.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

The aim of this study was to examine whether the gender of people with intellectual disability affects the attitudes of staff regarding their sexuality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 people (7 female, 3 male) who worked directly with adults with intellectual disability in a variety of capacities. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts identified 3 themes: women are perceived as sexually innocent, men as more sexually motivated, and motivations for intimate relationships are perceived to differ between men and women with intellectual disability. The article presents the results with examples from the interviews. The authors report that the study indicates unfavourable attitudes towards sexuality in individuals with intellectual disability that correlate with traditional, restricted gender stereotypes, and suggest that their findings highlight the importance of considering gender when supporting the sexuality of people with intellectual disability.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, sexual behaviour, sexuality, stereotyped attitudes, staff, attitudes, gender;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United Kingdom
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1469-9532
ISSN print:
1366-8250

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