Parents’ perceptions of risk and protective factors for problematic sexual behaviour in young Korean individuals with developmental disabilities

ABSTRACT

Background

Limited data exist on problematic sexual behaviour (PSB) in youth with developmental disabilities in South Korea.

Method

Sixty-one parents of children with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder (aged 13–30) reported children’s PSB and emotional, behavioural, cognitive, and interpersonal factors. The frequency of PSB in children with developmental disabilities was verified, and various factors’ effects on PSB were examined through multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

There were no significant differences in PSB levels between children based on sex and age group. The externalising tendency and a history of family conflict predicted higher PSB. In contrast, protective factors had no significant predictive effects.

Conclusions

PSB may vary depending on emotional and interpersonal factors, as well as cognitive deficits. Our findings emphasise the importance of interventions for PSB that consider both intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• intellectual disability
• problematic sexual behaviour
• risk factor
• protective factor

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Hanyang University Medical Centre Autism & Developmental Disorder Treatment Centre, funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea. The authors thank Ms. Geurim Go for her assistance in data collection and Ms. Sunah Yoon and Ms. Hyejoon Yoon for advising on the content validity of the measures.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).