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Attitudes of Group Home Employees Towards the Sexuality of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

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Abstract

This article identifies personal factors that influence group home employees’ attitudes towards the sexuality of individuals with disabilities. Seventy-one individuals currently employed in group homes in a single state in the United States completed two surveys: a demographics survey and the Attitudes to Sexuality Questionnaire-Individuals with an Intellectual Disability. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests due to the non-normal nature of the data. Results indicate that having an in-service training on sexuality has a positive influence on attitudes towards sexuality for individuals with an intellectual disability. In addition, personal factors (having an immediate family member with an intellectual disability, gender) also influenced attitudes towards sexuality and intellectual disability. However, data suggested no relationship between age or level of education and attitudes towards sexuality and intellectual disability. This study provides new information about factors that influence attitudes towards the sexuality of individuals with intellectual disabilities. It also provides data to support previous research on the topic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Counseling Program, Division of Special Education and Counseling, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA

    Roxanna N. Pebdani

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  1. Roxanna N. Pebdani
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Correspondence to Roxanna N. Pebdani.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Pebdani, R.N. Attitudes of Group Home Employees Towards the Sexuality of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Sex Disabil 34, 329–339 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-016-9447-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-016-9447-7

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