Unwanted sex among young adults in the United States: the role of physical disability and cognitive performance

Authors:
HAYDON Abigail A., MCREE Annie-Laurie, HALPERN Carolyn Tucker
Journal article citation:
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(17), November 2011, pp.3476-3493.
Publisher:
Sage

Individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities are at least as likely to experience interpersonal violence and abuse as individuals without disabilities. This study examined associations between unwanted sexual experiences (physically forced and nonphysically coerced sex) and physical disability and cognitive performance. It used data about 11,878 participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative survey of the young people in the United States. Survey questions about unwanted sexual experiences were designed to reflect only experiences occurring outside of parent or caregiver relationships and to exclude instances of childhood or adolescent sexual abuse. Approximately 24% of females and 4% of males reported unwanted sexual experiences. Compared to respondents without disabilities, females with a physical disability had greater odds of experiencing forced sex whereas males with a physical disability had greater odds of coerced sex. Men and women with poor cognitive performance were at least as likely to experience unwanted sexual contact as those with average cognitive ability. The authors discuss the findings and suggest that further research is required about the association between disability and unwanted sexual experiences.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sexual behaviour, young adults;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1552-6518
ISSN print:
0886-2605

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