{"title":"体验亲密关系和性:一项针对自闭症青少年和成年人的定性研究","authors":"Ana Beato, Mariana Reis Sarmento, Mariana Correia","doi":"10.1007/s11195-024-09838-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>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.</p>","PeriodicalId":51537,"journal":{"name":"Sexuality and Disability","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Experiencing Intimate Relationships and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with Autistic Adolescents and Adults\",\"authors\":\"Ana Beato, Mariana Reis Sarmento, Mariana Correia\",\"doi\":\"10.1007/s11195-024-09838-x\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<p>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.</p>\",\"PeriodicalId\":51537,\"journal\":{\"name\":\"Sexuality and Disability\",\"volume\":\"29 1\",\"pages\":\"\"},\"PeriodicalIF\":1.1000,\"publicationDate\":\"2024-03-25\",\"publicationTypes\":\"Journal Article\",\"fieldsOfStudy\":null,\"isOpenAccess\":false,\"openAccessPdf\":\"\",\"citationCount\":\"0\",\"resultStr\":null,\"platform\":\"Semanticscholar\",\"paperid\":null,\"PeriodicalName\":\"Sexuality and Disability\",\"FirstCategoryId\":\"3\",\"ListUrlMain\":\"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09838-x\",\"RegionNum\":4,\"RegionCategory\":\"医学\",\"ArticlePicture\":[],\"TitleCN\":null,\"AbstractTextCN\":null,\"PMCID\":null,\"EPubDate\":\"\",\"PubModel\":\"\",\"JCR\":\"Q3\",\"JCRName\":\"REHABILITATION\",\"Score\":null,\"Total\":0}","platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Sexuality and Disability","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09838-x","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
Experiencing Intimate Relationships and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with Autistic Adolescents and Adults
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.
期刊介绍:
Sexuality and Disability is an international forum for the publication of peer-reviewed original interdisciplinary scholarly papers that address the psychological and medical aspects of sexuality in relation to rehabilitation. Publishing timely research articles, review articles, case studies, clinical practice reports, brief research reports, survey data reports, and book and film reviews, the journal offers the latest developments in the area of sexuality as it relates to a wide range of disabilities and conditions. Contributions address: clinical and research progress; community programs; independent-living programs; guidelines for clinical practice; special grand-rounds topics; consumer issues; and contemporary developments in special programs in sex education and counseling for people with disabilities. The journal features special issues with internationally renowned guest editors focusing on current topics in sexual health. By publishing research, best-practice, evidence-based, and educational articles, the journal seeks to contribute to the field''s knowledge base and advancement. Sexuality and Disability is an essential resource for the exchange of new knowledge, issues, techniques, and available modalities for researchers and other professionals addressing the psychological and medical aspects of sexuality in rehabilitation, medical, academic, and community settings.