Differences in Sexual Behavior of Teenagers and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy: The Role of Sexual Needs and Sexual Esteem

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Date
2018-12-30
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"Sexuality and Disability", 2018, 4(36), s. 33-46
Abstract
Sexuality is an inherent attribute of all human beings regardless of their race,religion and the level of physical fitness. The way it is perceived and manifested is determinedby a number of biopsychosocial factors. In some people, including persons with cerebralpalsy, the factors and their influence are rooted in the psychophysical condition of the humanbody. The aim of this study was to answer the question about how the levels of sexual esteemand sexual needs differentiate the sexual behaviors of young people with cerebral palsy. Thestudy being presented was conducted with 62 young persons with cerebral palsy (half womenand half men), who were selected using purposive sampling. They were aged 15–25 yearsand were individuals without cognitive difficulties. The research tool used was the CerebralPalsy Individual’s Sexual Behavior Questionnaire developed by the authors. The findings ofthe study showed that half of the participants engaged in various sexual behaviors from thelist that was presented to them. The frequencies of these engagements depended on the levelsof their sexual esteem and sexual needs. Persons characterized by high levels of sexualesteem and sexual needs (much fewer than those with the low levels of both characteristics)engaged in sexual behaviors significantly more frequently. The most frequent among themwas direct engagement in sexual activity (petting and sexual intercourse;pB.001) and thenexposure to sexually explicit magazines or films (pB.05).
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Keywords
sexual behavior, cerebral palsy, youth and young adults
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