Relatives and support staff of people with mild intellectual disabilities identified sexual preferences, sexual behaviour, and support and education as key aspects of sexual health, while differing in their priorities: relatives emphasised relationships and support staff emphasised sexual identity.
Key Findings
Results
Relatives and support staff identified multiple aspects of sexual health for people with mild intellectual disabilities through concept mapping, including sexual preferences, sexual behaviour, and support and education.
Participants included relatives (n=7) and support staff (n=15) of people with mild intellectual disabilities.
A concept mapping procedure was used, which included brainstorming, sorting, and ranking activities.
An expert group interpreted the results of the mapping procedure.
The identified aspects reflect physical, emotional, mental, and social dimensions of sexual health.
Results
Relatives and support staff differed in their prioritisation of sexual health aspects, with relatives prioritising relationships and support staff emphasising sexual identity.
Relatives (n=7) ranked relationships as a top priority in sexual health for people with mild intellectual disabilities.
Support staff (n=15) placed greater emphasis on sexual identity as a central aspect of sexual health.
These differing priorities were revealed through the ranking activity component of the concept mapping procedure.
The difference in priorities between the two groups suggests varying perspectives based on the nature of their relationship with people with mild intellectual disabilities.
Discussion
The study highlights the necessity of adopting a comprehensive approach to sexual health for people with mild intellectual disabilities that incorporates developmental perspectives.
The comprehensive approach identified should consider support, education, and a positive attitude towards sexual health.
People with mild intellectual disabilities rely on relatives and support staff, making the latter's understanding of sexual health particularly important.
The study emphasises incorporating developmental perspectives into sexual health approaches for this population.
Implications for both research and practice were discussed based on the findings.
Methods
Concept mapping was used as a participatory methodology to explore relatives' and support staff's understanding of sexual health in people with mild intellectual disabilities.
The concept mapping procedure included three sequential activities: brainstorming, sorting, and ranking.
A total of 22 participants took part: 7 relatives and 15 support staff.
An expert group was convened separately to interpret the concept mapping results.
The methodology was selected given the importance of understanding the perspectives of those who support people with mild intellectual disabilities.
What This Means
This research suggests that people close to individuals with mild intellectual disabilities — including family members and professional support staff — have somewhat different views about what aspects of sexual health matter most. When asked to identify and prioritise elements of sexual health, family members tended to focus on relationships, while professional support staff placed more emphasis on sexual identity. Both groups agreed that sexual preferences, sexual behaviour, and access to support and education are important components of sexual health for people with mild intellectual disabilities.
The study used a structured method called concept mapping, in which 22 participants (7 relatives and 15 support staff) first brainstormed ideas, then organised and ranked them. An expert group helped interpret the patterns that emerged. This approach captured a range of perspectives on a topic that is often overlooked or inadequately addressed for people with intellectual disabilities.
This research suggests that supporting the sexual health of people with mild intellectual disabilities requires a broad, inclusive approach that goes beyond physical health to include emotional, social, and identity-related dimensions. It also points to the importance of education and a positive attitude from those who provide care and support. Because family members and professional staff may emphasise different priorities, effective sexual health support may need to account for these differing viewpoints and ensure that all relevant aspects — including relationships, identity, and education — are addressed.
de Wit W, Roeg D, Frielink N, Embregts P. (2025). Exploring sexual health in people with mild intellectual disabilities: A concept mapping study on the perspectives of relatives and support staff.. Journal of intellectual & developmental disability. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2023.2301616