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

Abstract

Background Research has found staff attitudes regarding the sexuality of people with intellectual disability (ID) to be negative but influenced by several factors. The current study aimed to examine whether gender of people with ID affects such attitudes.

Method Semistructured interviews were completed with 10 staff members and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results Results indicated 3 themes: Women are perceived as sexually innocent, men as more sexually motivated, and motivations for sexual relationships are perceived to differ between men and women with ID.

Conclusion The study indicates unfavourable attitudes towards sexuality in individuals with ID that correlate with traditional, restricted gender stereotypes. The identification of these themes highlights the importance of considering gender when supporting the sexuality of people with ID.

Keywords:

• staff attitudes
• sexuality
• intellectual
• disability

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Appendix: Interview schedule

How men and women with ID express sexuality.^a,b,c The motivations of men and women with ID for intimate/sexual relationships.^a The use of contraception by men and women with ID.^a,b The motivations of men and women with ID to marry and have children.^a How sexually appropriate and inappropriate behaviour is defined and managed amongst men and women with ID.^a,b,c

Note

Interview questions were informed by the following research:

^aThe Sexuality and the Mental Retardation Inventory (Murray & Minnes, 1994).

^bThe Attitudes to Sexuality Questionnaire (Cuskelly & Bryde, 2004).

^cThe Sexual Attitudes Questionnaire (Mitchell et al., 1978).