Sexuality and Disability最新文献

Acquired communication disorders are prevalent, particularly for older adults and people in healthcare settings. They can have substantial impacts on sexual health and intimacy. Yet, it is not clear whether speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or clinical psychologists whether they are aware of the impacts of communication disorders on sexuality or whether they feel empowered to address them. This study surveyed clinical psychologists and SLPs to determine (a) whether either profession was addressing sexuality-related concerns consistently, (b) if they believed sexuality was important to their clients, (c) what they felt their role was in addressing this, (d) how much they believed communication disorders effected sexuality in comparison with other physical or psychological disorders, and (e) what barriers they found to addressing sexuality in their work. The results indicate that clinical psychologists and SLPs believe communication disorders can impact sexual health at similar rates to physical and psychological disorders, but they are not clear on what professionals should be addressing these effects. SLPs, particularly, are divided about whether this work is in their scope of practice. Implications for the accessibility of sexuality interventions for people with communication disorders are discussed.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of web-based marriage preparation education provided to engaged couples before marriage on their knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, marital adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and sexual self-efficacy. The randomized controlled experimental study took place between September 2021 and November 2022 at a municipal marriage registry office in Ankara. The study enrolled 60 engaged couples embarking on their first marriage (30 couples assigned to the intervention group and 30 to the control group). The intervention group received web-based marriage preparation education, while the control group received standardized follow-up. Data collection involved the use of the “Data Collection Form,” the “Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge Test for Premarital Couples (SRH),” the “Marital Adjustment Scale (MAS),” the “New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS),” and the “Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale (SSES).” Data analysis employed descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, mean, and standard deviation), split-plot ANOVA for pre-test and post-test comparisons, two-way ANOVA for intergroup scale score comparisons, and the Pearson correlation test for correlational analysis. The post-test knowledge scores on sexual and reproductive health for the group that received marriage preparation education were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.01). Additionally, the intervention group exhibited significantly higher scores on the MAS, NSSS, and SSES than the non-education group (p < 0.05). The study concludes that pre-marriage education played a crucial role in enhancing couples’ understanding of sexual and reproductive health, marital adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and sexual self-efficacy. Moreover, the education administered by a women’s health nurse highlighted the importance of web-based technologies in counseling.

This paper investigates the trends in erectile dysfunction research by integrating individual keywords such as COVID-19, mental health, psychiatry, and drug use. The study spans a six-year period from September 21, 2017, to September 21, 2023, and utilizes resources from the National Library of Medicine. For instance, the quantity of relevant documents is determined using the Google search engine. A custom date range can be set on the browser via tools, and the search is limited to the nih.gov site domain. The phrase-site search command used is executed with “erectile dysfunction” COVID-19 site:nih.gov. The result revealed that from Sept 2021 to 2022, research on COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction spiked. However, the previous year saw a rise in studies linking drugs or mental health with erectile dysfunction. Meanwhile, psychiatry-focused publications have consistently grown. The time-series trends of erectile dysfunction linked to COVID-19 are substantiated by a comprehensive literature review.

Neurodivergent young people tend to struggle with building and maintaining their romantic relationships. Despite this, there appears to be a lack of appropriate sexuality education delivered to them. This review aims to present and discuss the most current literature (conducted between 2015 and current) on romantic relationships and sexuality education in young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and ASD co-occurring with ADHD. Six internet-based bibliographic databases were used for the present review that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Thirty-one studies were identified in this review. Twenty-six studies investigated the topic in the autistic young population. Four studies explored qualitatively and 11 quantitatively young people’s perspectives of their romantic relationship experiences. One study investigated qualitatively and three quantitatively young people’s perspectives on sexuality education. One study explored qualitatively and five quantitatively young people’s romantic relationship experiences and two explored qualitatively and three quantitatively sexuality education from caregivers’ perspectives. Five studies (all quantitative, self-reports) investigated romantic relationship experiences in the young population with ADHD. The studies conducted on the topic from the educational professionals’ perspectives were absent in the literature. The literature was also non-existent on the topic in the population with ASD co-occurring with ADHD. To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first review exploring romantic relationships and sexuality education in three groups of neurodivergent young people (with ASD, ADHD, and ASD co-occurring with ADHD).

Romance, intimacy, and sexuality are crucial elements of human well-being. However, they have gone unnoticed and insufficiently explored among individuals with neurodevelopmental difficulties, namely among autistic people. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by repetitive and stereotypical behavior, interests, or activities and by difficulties in interpersonal relationships and verbal and non-verbal communication. Preliminary studies reveal that, although most wish to relate intimately with other people, several autistic individuals tend to isolate themselves and engage in individual sexual behaviors. Despite the importance of this topic, few studies have looked at it in depth nor included the unique perceptions of autistic people about topics such as romantic and intimate relationships or sexuality. To fill that gap, we have designed a qualitative, cross-sectional and exploratory study that sought to explore the perceptions and experiences of autistic people about romance, intimacy and sexuality. Twenty-two autistic teenagers and adults (63.6% female) aged between 15 and 45 years, consented to participate in individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The transcripts were examined with thematic analysis. The results highlight three main themes: Intimate relationships, sexuality, and sex education. The negative impact of autistic characteristics in sexuality and sexuality was highlighted by the participants. Understanding the difficulties and the needs of autistic people will increase awareness regarding this topic and improve assessment and interventions related to romantic relationships and sexuality. Furthermore, our study sheds light on the importance of developing tailored and adequate sex education programs and tools for the difficulties presented by autistic youth.

Previous research has indicated that healthcare support for sexuality after spinal cord injury appears to be neglected or inadequately provided. The perspectives of people living with spinal cord injuries regarding what is lacking and what support they would like to be provided, and why, has yet to be explored. This paper uses critical theory to explore how societal constructs of sexuality and disability shape how sexuality is supported after a spinal cord injury. To do this, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 11 people with a spinal cord injury from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We drew from the works of various critical disability theorists to analyze what discourses underpinned the experiences people with spinal cord injuries had when receiving sexuality support. Analysis suggested that the following discourses were apparent: (1) broken bodies require repair, (2) sex is penetration, ejaculation then reproduction, and (3) sexual autonomy is required. Findings indicated healthcare professionals need to recognize people with spinal cord injuries as sexual beings with a diverse range of desires, lives, relations, and bodies. Provision of individualized comprehensive high-quality sexuality support is therefore warranted. To achieve this, healthcare professionals should aim to be aware of, and mitigate, ableist and normative assumptions.

Aim

Studies have reported that Reiki reduces several symptoms regarding hypertension, cancer, sleep disorders, psychological problems, and menstrual cycle. Reiki may also have positive effects on sexuality. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of Reiki on sexual function and sexual self-confidence in women with sexual distress. This randomized controlled study was conducted with women between the ages of 15–49 years who were registered at a family health center in the eastern region of Turkey and had sexual distress. Women experienced more sexual difficulties than men. Therefore, the sample of this study was women. The sample of the study consisted of 106 women, 53 in the experimental group and 53 in the control group. Women in the experimental group received Reiki once a week for four weeks, while no intervention was applied to those in the control group. Data were collected using the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), and the Sexual Self-confidence Scale (SSS). The levels of sexual distress, sexual function, and sexual self-confidence of women in both groups were similar before the intervention, and the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). After the Reiki application, the FSDS-R and ASEX mean scores of women in the experimental group significantly decreased, while their SSS mean score significantly increased, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the present study, Reiki was associated with reduced sexual distress, positive outcomes in sexual functions, and increase sexual self-confidence in women with sexual distress. Healthcare professionals may find Reiki to positively enhance women's sexuality.

Abstract

When Jumai told her cousin, she wanted to get intimate with a man, her cousin replied that as a blind woman she should not be thinking about things like that, but instead should be on her knees praying. Disabled women in Nigeria often experience this kind of pushback if they express sexual desire. Sexual and reproductive health interventions for disabled people in Nigeria usually exclude desires and pleasures, and only address vulnerabilities to sexual violence or ill-health. Beyond Nigeria, pleasure has also been missing in health and policy discourses regarding disabled people and regarding African women. Now research, activism and advocacy have started to bring pleasure into the discourse in relation to both disabled people and African women. However, for disabled African women, the possibilities for pleasure continue to be side-lined. This article starts to address that gap by presenting qualitative research with five disabled women in Nigeria about their experiences of sexuality and pleasure. A sexuality education program inspired by the findings of this research is presented.

Introduction

The needs of people living with disabilities regarding sex and sexual health remain largely neglected. Knowledge and resources about disabled sexuality have emerged mainly from the global north and have centered on heteronormative ideas about sex, gender, and sexuality.

Methods

An affirmative, sex positive, queer, and intersectional exploration was undertaken of the experiences and needs a group of adults with disabilities living in Gauteng, South Africa in relation to accessing information about sex, sexuality, and sexual health. Interviews were conducted with people of diverse disabilities, language groups, and cultural backgrounds. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

The participants revealed that sexual encounters, relationships, and dating were infused with negative experiences related to lack of understanding about sex, internalized ableism, exploitation, and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse resulting from societal stigma and ignorance regarding disability. Participants offered suggestions for how their needs could be addressed.

Conclusion

Our study concludes that the denial of sexual rights is a central element of the broader forms of social exclusion that people with disabilities. In South Africa, many of these forms of exclusion have been compounded by the legacy of apartheid, and the persistence of racial inequality, taboos about sex, and stigmas associated with disability.

Despite its importance and numerous benefits, sexual health in the elderly is often a neglected topic due to gender- and age-specific taboos and stereotypes, especially those addressing elderly women. A qualitative study was conducted using focus group interviews to explore the factors influencing the sexual health of elderly women. Twenty-four married elderly women from Tehran with different socioeconomic statuses and a mean age of 65.33 ± 5.32 participated in 7 focus group interviews. Content analysis was done following the deductive method of Elo and Kyngäs (2008) and based on the different levels of socioecological approach. Overall, the findings indicated the importance of influential factors at 5 different levels as the main categories which included 14 sub-categories. In addition to individual factors such as health and age-related changes, the participants regarded the role of sexual adaptation and the level of satisfaction with it in different periods of life as important factors contributing to the elderly women’s sexual health. The role of the husband’s health and the quality of the relationship with him along with the children influences were also found to have a decisive role at the interpersonal level. At higher levels, factors such as having privacy, the attitude of health care workers, and socio-cultural beliefs also contributed to sexual health. Results of this study are expected to provide the basis for future research and strengthen sexual health programs for the elderly based on social structures.