Psychological Theories of Disability and Sexuality: A Literature Review

Abstract

This literature review examines the theories of disability and sexuality from a psychological perspective. Although psychology has remained on the periphery of the disability and sexuality studies movements, psychological models have begun to address disability and sexuality in two distinct ways: by examining the impact of disability on sexuality and sexual functioning and by examining the intersections between disability and sexual identity development, particularly in the sexual minority (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) community. It concludes with implications for how theory can inform our understanding of human behavior and the social environment and identify areas for further theory development.

KEYWORDS:

• Disability
• sexuality
• psychology
• theory