Original scientific paper
Sexual identity and experiences of adults with cerebral palsy
Andreja Bartolac
Abstract
The fact is that the possibility to realize many important needs and
wants that are part of normal everyday life for persons with cerebral palsy is drastically reduced. According to the information in literature and research conducted out of Croatia in the last 5 years, persons that are growing up with serious physical disability feel sexually unattractive and not inclining to any kind of sexuality, together with decreased possibilities (physical and psycho-social) for realization of sexual relationship. As there are no research on this subject in Croatia, there is a qualitative study being conducted on one sample
of 10 adults with cerebral palsy (4 women and 6 man), age 28–48 (M=38,7). For collecting information a structured questionnaire was used, combined from 2 forms: 1. Questionnaire of sexual identity and 2. Questionnaire of sexual experience. Ethical standards are met trough verbal consent of participation following the promise of confidentiality of personal data and objectivity during data analysis. The results of the survey have shown clear attitude of all
participants about the right to sexual needs and sexual expression of persons with cerebral palsy, which is seriously inhibited by negative attitude of social and cultural environment and lack of privacy and by the physical restrictions. The survey has given the ideas about further research on this subject that should be dealing with environmental influence and restrictions (especially psychological, social and ambiental) that are decreasing the quality of life of
persons with disability in general and to make conditions for proactive interventions in that area.
Keywords
ADULTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; SEXUAL IDENTITY; SEXUAL EXPERIENCE; SEXUAL RESTRICTIONS
Hrčak ID:
4484
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2005.
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