Sexual health and rights of people with disability. The role of caregiver and social care professionals

Journal title PSICOLOGIA DI COMUNITA’
Author/s Roberto Castiglia, Maria Garro, Aluette Merenda, Alessandra Salerno
Publishing Year 2018 Issue 2018/2
Language Italian Pages 21 P. 69-89 File size 291 KB
DOI 10.3280/PSC2018-002007
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The paper is aimed at the analysis of the connection between disability, sexual satisfaction and psychosocial well-being. Most of the relevant literature highlights how people with physical or mental disabilities are considered as unable to live a healthy sexuality, because they are often perceived as eternal children, whose sexuality could be denied as well as their possibility of having an intimate relationship. Actually, this social representation contributes to the spread of false attributions and prejudices, that may also be found inside the familiar context or by professionals. The present work is also oriented toward the promotion of sexual health practice and rights of people with disabilities, a topic often misconceived and not enough debated by the Institutions.

Keywords: Couples, rights, disability, sexual health, social exclusion, social representations

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Roberto Castiglia, Maria Garro, Aluette Merenda, Alessandra Salerno, Il diritto alla salute sessuale nella disabilità. Il ruolo dei caregiver e degli operatori delle relazioni d’aiuto in "PSICOLOGIA DI COMUNITA’" 2/2018, pp 69-89, DOI: 10.3280/PSC2018-002007