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On intimacy, sexual activities and exposure to sexual abuse among children and adolescents with mobility impairment
Author(s) -
Jemtå L,
FuglMeyer KS,
Öberg K
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00757.x
Subject(s) - medicine , human sexuality , sexual abuse , reproductive health , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , interpersonal communication , psychiatry , psychology , injury prevention , population , poison control , social psychology , gender studies , environmental health , sociology
Aim: The aim was to describe experiences of intimacy and sexual activity and exposure to sexual abuse among children and adolescents with mobility impairment, and to relate these experiences to socio‐demographic data, disability characteristics and well‐being. Methods: This study included semi‐structured interviews with 141 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years with mobility impairment. Interpersonal experiences of intimacy and sexuality, socio‐demographic data, disability characteristics and well‐being were registered. Results: About half of the children and adolescents in the study had been in a boy‐ or a girlfriend relationship, and about a fifth had an ongoing relationship. Of the adolescents, 15% had at least one experience of a sexual relationship. Whereas no particular sexual dysfunction was reported, 15% had concerns about their future sexual activities, presumably related to mobility impairment. A history of sexual abuse was reported by 7% in the age cohort of 13–18 years. The socio‐demographic and disability‐related features had a marginal influence on the experiences of intimacy and sexual activities. Conclusion: Several aspects of sexual health are not fully realized for children and adolescents with impaired mobility, and there is a need for specialized sexual health care services to protect the sexual rights of this group.