Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Level of Knowledge about Sexuality of People with Mental Disabilities

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper examines the level of knowledge about sexuality of people with mental disabilities. The research also presents differences resulting from sex and the level of mental retardation. The sample included 24 persons with mental disabilities, who the author of this paper knew very well due to the time spent with them during a summer camp at a club in Vjeverica. Data was collected through direct interviews. Two types of questionnaires on sexuality of people with mental disabilities were used during these interviews. Results indicate that the level of knowledge about sexuality is not sufficient. Specifically low knowledge was shown in the area of the protection of sexual health such as sexually transmitted diseases and methods of protection. A relatively good level of knowledge was shown by the respondents in distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate ways of sexual behaviour and social understanding of certain situational norms. Differences regarding sex and the level of disability were found. The results indicate the need for additional education on sexuality of both people with mental disabilities and their parents, along with support. Despite the fact that the research was conducted on a small occasional sample, it indicates that further research on this subject is needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bratković, D.: Evaluacija programa seksualne edukacije u radu s osobama s umjerenom i težom mentalnom retardacijom. Magistarski rad. Zagreb, Edukacijsko rehabilitacijski fakultet (1996).

  2. Bratković, D.: Edukacija o spolnosti osoba s mentalnom retardacijom, Priručnik, Zagreb, Hrvatski savez udruga za osobe s mentalnom retardacijom (2000).

  3. Walter, J.: Sexuelle Partnerschaft, Kinderwunsch und Elternschaft geistigbehinderter Menschen. In: Walter, J. (Hg.) Sexualität und geistige Behindrung. Heidelberg, pp. 290–296 (1996).

  4. Römer, B.: Streicheln ist schön. Sexuelle Erziehung von geistig behinderten Menschen, Mainz (1995).

  5. Walter, J.: Grundrecht auf Sexualität? Einfürende Überlegungen zum Thema “Sexualität und geistige Behindrung” In: Walter, J. (Hg.) Sexualität und geistige Behindrung. Heidelberg, pp. 29–37 (1996).

  6. Speck, O.: Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung und ihre Erziehung. München, Basel (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Škrinjar, J.: Poticanje razvoja pozitivne slike o sebi kod osoba s mentalnom retardacijom. Zagreb: Hrvatski savez udruga za osobe s mentalnom retardacijom (2002).

  8. Schröder, S.: Sonderpädagogische Aspekte zur Sexualität geistighbehinderter Kinder und Jugendlicher. In: Walter, J. (Hg.) Sexualität und geistige Beinderung. Heidelberg, pp. 128–147 (1996).

  9. Dawid-Hapkemeyer, H.: Grundlagen und Etwurf ein personal – interaktives Konzept zur geschlechtlichen Erziehung in der Schule für Geistigbehinderte. Frankfurt am Mein (1995).

  10. Walter, J.: Pubertätsprobleme bei Jugendlichen mit geistige Behindrug. In: Walter, J. (Hg.) Sexualität und geistige Behindrung. Heidelberg, pp. 160–173 (1996).

  11. Lempp, R.: Pubertät und Adoleszenz beim geistigbehinderten Menschen. In: Walter, J. (Hg.) Sexualität und geistige Behindrung. Heidelberg, pp. 174–186 (1996).

  12. Mišić, D.: Seksualnost i osobe s mentalnom retardacijom, Naš prijatelj, Hrvatski savez udruga za osobe s mentalnom retardacijom, ¾, pp. 13–16 (1994).

  13. Haracopos, D., Pedersen L.: Diagnostic observation scheme for autistic youngsters and adults. http://www.autismo.com/scripts/articulo/smuestra.idc?n=sexo2 (2006).

  14. Buckley, S., Sacks, B.: The adolescent with down syndrome: Life for the teenager and for the family. Portsmouth, Portsmouth Polytechnic (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Walter, J.I., Hoyler, H.: Erwachsensein und Sexualitaet in der Lebenswirklichkeit geistigbehinderter Menschen. Heidelberg, Universitaetverglag, Winter (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  16. McCabe, M.P.: Seks education program for people with mental retardation. Mental. Retard. J. 31(6), 377–387 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Teodorović, B., Mišić, D.: Seksualno ponašanje osoba s umjerenom i težom retardacijom, Defektologija, Zagreb. Edukacijsko rehabilitacijski fakultet 3(2), 161–169 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Teodorović, B., Fulgosi Masnjak, R.: Neke kognitivne karakteristike djece s mentalnom retardacijom, Defektologija, Zagreb, Edukacijsko rehabilitacijski fakultet, 28, 1–7 (1992).

  19. Cook, J.A.: Sexuality and people with psychiatric disabilities. Sex. Disabil., 18(1), 195–206 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Haracopos, D., Pedersen, L.: Sexuality and autism. A nationwide survey in Denmark. Copenhagen. http://www.autismo.com/scripts/articulo/smuestra.idc?n=sexo2 (Retrieved: 09. 01.2006.) (1992).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Low, Department of Social Work, The University of Zagreb, Nazorova 51, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia

    Zdravka Leutar & Marija Mihoković

Authors
  1. Zdravka Leutar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marija Mihoković
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zdravka Leutar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leutar, Z., Mihoković, M. Level of Knowledge about Sexuality of People with Mental Disabilities. Sex Disabil 25, 93–109 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-007-9046-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-007-9046-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation