| Opis: | Background: Sexuality and emotional relationships are often ignored and stigmatized areas in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), even though they represent central dimensions of quality of life, self-image, and social inclusion. The aim of our research was to examine the understanding, expression, and experience of sexuality and emotional relationships in people with ID. Main objectives of the research were to contribute to destigmatization, provide more comprehensive understanding of their needs, and highlight the role of the environment (family, caregivers, professionals, health professionals) in enabling safe and supportive expression of these needs.
Methods: We used mixed research methods, combining quantitative and qualitative research approaches. We conducted a survey on the sample of 115 people, namely 58 professionals and 57 family members or caregivers of people with ID, and 83 people with ID, of whom 31 were people with mild ID and 52 people with moderate ID. A total of 17 people were interviewed, namely 6 people with ID, 6 professionals of various profiles and 5 family members or caregivers of people with ID.
Results: The results showed statistically significant differences in attitudes between professionals and family members or caregivers, with professionals showing higher agreement with the right of people with ID to sexuality and partner relationships. We also found that most people with ID understand sexuality and emotional relationships positively and maturely, with no statistically significant differences between people with mild ID and people with moderate ID. The results of both quantitative and qualitative analysis did not show significant differences in people with ID in terms of age, gender and level of disorder, but differences were found in terms of participation in workshops or lectures on sexuality, as workshop participants achieved higher average results in knowledge and relationships. Qualitative analysis further disclosed that participants express sexuality in three basic ways: through »normal« partner relationships (dating, closeness, intimacy), through actions and physical behavior, and through words.
Discussion: Adults with mild and moderate ID understand sexuality and emotional relationships mostly as an expression of love, closeness, and respect, with no major differences between the two groups in the understanding itself, but mainly at the level of autonomy and mode of expression. The quality of environmental support, e.g., accessibility of conversations about sexuality, clear rules about boundaries, the possibility of privacy, and inclusion in targeted sex education programs, has proven to be a key factor for safe, mature, and socially appropriate expression of sexuality. On this basis, the research highlights the need for systematic inclusion of topics of sexuality and emotional relationships in programs for people with ID and for training family members and professionals to support, not merely regulate, the intimacy of people with ID. |
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