'Them Two Things are What Collide Together': Understanding the Sexual Identity Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People Labelled with Intellectual Disability.


Journal

Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID
ISSN: 1468-3148
Titre abrégé: J Appl Res Intellect Disabil
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9613616

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Jan 2020
Historique:
accepted: 15 02 2016
pubmed: 20 8 2016
medline: 10 10 2020
entrez: 20 8 2016
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

Previous research aiming to understand the lives of lesbian, gay bisexual and trans (LGBT) people labelled with intellectual disabilities is limited. There are few recent studies and available findings are often contradictory and inconsistent. This study aimed to explore how LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities experienced their sexual identities. Five LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities were interviewed, and data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology. Four superordinate themes represented the following: common experiences of bullying/abuse, understanding sexualities, other's responses to intellectual disabilities and sexualities, and navigating acceptance. Strategies for coping with abuse maintained participant's engagement in local communities. Sexuality was often problematized by others despite being generally accepted by participants. Coming out was a continual process of decision-making to facilitate safety and acceptance. To feel fully supported, participants desired holistic service provision sensitive to their sexuality and intellectual disability needs. Clinical and research implications are suggested.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Previous research aiming to understand the lives of lesbian, gay bisexual and trans (LGBT) people labelled with intellectual disabilities is limited. There are few recent studies and available findings are often contradictory and inconsistent.
METHOD METHODS
This study aimed to explore how LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities experienced their sexual identities. Five LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities were interviewed, and data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology.
RESULTS RESULTS
Four superordinate themes represented the following: common experiences of bullying/abuse, understanding sexualities, other's responses to intellectual disabilities and sexualities, and navigating acceptance.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Strategies for coping with abuse maintained participant's engagement in local communities. Sexuality was often problematized by others despite being generally accepted by participants. Coming out was a continual process of decision-making to facilitate safety and acceptance. To feel fully supported, participants desired holistic service provision sensitive to their sexuality and intellectual disability needs. Clinical and research implications are suggested.

Identifiants

pubmed: 27538684
doi: 10.1111/jar.12252
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

3-16

Informations de copyright

© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Références

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Auteurs

Robert Dinwoodie (R)

University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

Beth Greenhill (B)

University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Mersey Care NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK.

Alex Cookson (A)

Mersey Care NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK.

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