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ERIC Number: EJ1204992
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1354-4187
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Support Workers' Understanding of Their Role Supporting the Sexuality of People with Learning Disabilities
Maguire, Karla; Gleeson, Kate; Holmes, Nan
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, v47 n1 p59-65 Mar 2019
Background: Despite positive attitudes amongst support staff towards sexuality, adults with learning disabilities report being dissatisfied with the support they receive. This research aimed to explore support workers' understanding of their role supporting the sexuality of adults with learning disabilities. Method: Six support workers from supported living services were interviewed about their role. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Three themes emerged which were understood as suggesting that support workers held conflicting beliefs and emotions about their role supporting sexuality. This was interpreted as creating an ambivalence that could result in support workers distancing themselves from an active role in supporting sexuality. Conclusion: This study concluded that support workers may inadvertently express an understanding of their role that may be consistent with negative and limiting discourses about the sexuality of adults with learning disabilities. The findings suggest a continuing need for sexuality training with a focus on reflective practice.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A