Abstract
The goal of this study was to understand the ways of living and thinking about sexuality of people with mental disorders. Open interviews were conducted with men and women in public mental health services in Brazil. Transcrips were examined based on the proposal of sexual scripts. Major imbalances coming from conceptions of masculinity and femininity in society were identified in the sexual scripts experienced by these men and women. Interviewees have little pleasure in their sexual lives, with recurrent complaints of sexual abuse, even by steady partners; prejudice; and lack of affection in their relationships. Additionally, they were found to have few self-care skills concerning sexual health, in a context marked by social exclusion. The results showed the need to promote sexual health as a human right, and fight gender stereotypes, which cause so much damage to the sexual health of people with mental disorders.
Highlights
Sexuality is a fundamental component in the life of any human being, and everyone has the right to live it fully, pleasantly and healthily
In Brazil, a research project conducted with over 2,400 people with severe and persistent mental disorders found that 87.6% had been sexually active, and sexual initiation occurred before 18 years of age for 67.0% of the respondents (Guimarães et al, 2009)
The results show that sexuality is an important dimension in the life of people with severe and persistent mental disorders, and constitutive of their identity
Summary
Sexuality is a fundamental component in the life of any human being, and everyone has the right to live it fully, pleasantly and healthily. When it comes to people with severe and persistent mental disorders, as well as people with some kindof disability (Giami & Veil, 2004), they are seen as asexual or as if they have an uncontrolled sexuality (Brito & Oliveira, 2009; Miranda, Furegato & Azevedo, 2008). An epidemiological study conducted in 2006/2007 (Guimarães et al, 2009) confirmed the existence of risky sexual behavior, such as relations without condom and with multiple partners; and high rates of sexual violence suffered by this population. The rate of HIV/ AIDS is 0.8%, that is, 0.6% higher than that of the general population in Brazil (Brazilian Health Ministry)
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