Staff Values Regarding the Sexual Expression of Women with Developmental Disabilities (original) (raw)

Abstract

Women with developmental disabilities face a myriad of barriers that prevent sexual expression. These include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to health care, limited choices regarding reproductive issues, and lack of sex education. The values and beliefs of support staff also represent potential barriers. A survey was conducted to determine the attitudes and knowledge of support staff at an agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Findings indicated that a majority of staff felt comfortable supporting women in expressing their sexuality, but few were trained to do so. Results also suggested that staff were guided more by their personal views than by agency policy.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Edwards JP, Elkins T: Just between us: A social sexual guide for parents and professionals with concerns for persons with developmental disabilities. Austin, TX, Pro-Ed, 1988.
    Google Scholar
  2. McCarthy, M: Whose body is it anyway? Pressures and control for women with learning disabilities. Disability & Society 13: 557-569, 1998.
    Google Scholar
  3. Verdekal, S: Exploring our possibilities for change: An examination of violence against disabled women and problems encountered when seeking therapy. 1998. Retrieved October 10, 2000, from the World Wide Web: http://www.scsu.ctstateu.edu/\~womenstudies/verdekal.html
  4. Onley, MF, Kuper, EV: The situation of women with developmental disabilities: Implications for practitioners in supported employment. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling 29:3-11, 1998.
    Google Scholar
  5. Petersilia, J: Invisible victims. Human Rights 27:9-12, 2000.
    Google Scholar
  6. Williams L, Nind M: Insiders or outsiders: Normalisation and women with learning difficulties, Disability & Society 14:659-668, 1999.
    Google Scholar
  7. Gerrschick T J: Toward a theory of disability and gender. Signs 25: 1263-1268, 2000.
    Google Scholar
  8. Cattarin JA, Thompson J K, Thomas C, Williams R: Body image, mood, and television images: The role of social comparison. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 19:220-239, 2000.
    Google Scholar
  9. Hewitt AS: Identification of competencies and effective training practices for direct support staff working in community residential services for people with developmental disabilities. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota, 1998.
  10. Taylor M., Bradley V, Warren R: The Community Support Skill Standards: Tools for Managing Change and Achieving Outcomes. Cambridge, MA, Human Services Research Institute, 1996.
    Google Scholar
  11. Burchess I: Guidelines for Helping People with a Mental Handicap with their Sexuality. Kidderminster, England, Kidderminster and District Health Authority, 1990.
    Google Scholar
  12. Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis: Sexuality policy and guidelines. Los Angeles: Author, 2000.
  13. Wolfe PS: The influence of personal values on issues of sexuality and disability. Sexuality and Disability 15, 69-90, 1997.
    Google Scholar
  14. Stavis PF, Walker-Hirsch LW: Consent to sexual activity. In A Guide to Consent, RJ Dinerstein, SS Herr, JL O'Sullivan (eds). Washington, D.C., American Association on Mental Retardation, 1999, pp. 57-67.
    Google Scholar
  15. Valenti-Hein D, Dura JR: Sexuality and sexual development. In Manual of Diagnosis and Professional Practice in Mental Retardation, JW Jacobson, JA Mulick (eds). Washington, D.C., American Psychological Association, 1996, pp. 301-310.
    Google Scholar
  16. Rose J, Holmes S: Changing staff attitudes to the sexuality of people with mental handicaps: An evaluative comparison of one and three day workshops. Mental Handicap Research 4, 67-79, 1991.
    Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis, USA
    LeeAnn Christian
  2. California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles
    Jennifer Stinson
  3. The Fielding Graduate Institute, USA
    Lori Ann Dotson

Authors

  1. LeeAnn Christian
  2. Jennifer Stinson
  3. Lori Ann Dotson

Corresponding author

Correspondence toLori Ann Dotson.

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Christian, L., Stinson, J. & Dotson, L.A. Staff Values Regarding the Sexual Expression of Women with Developmental Disabilities.Sexuality and Disability 19, 283–291 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017957409670

Download citation