Staff attitudes towards the sexuality of people with learning disabilities: a comparison of different professional groups and residential facilities

Abstract

Accessible summaryThis study asked 188 nurses and care staff what they thought about people with learning disabilities having relationships. Other studies found that care stuff often think that it is not okay for people with learning disabilities to have relationships. Studies have also found that staff do not think that it is okay for men to have relationships with other men. This study found that: Staff in the community were more likely than nursing home staff to think that it was okay for people with learning disabilities to have relationships. Staff with more training were likely to think that it was okay for people with learning disabilities to have relationships. Nursing home staff were less likely to think that it was okay for men with learning disabilities to have relationships with other men. SummaryThe role of care staff is invaluable in the day to day living of many people with learning disabilities. Consequently, care staff can often have substantial influence, although this may not always serve the best interests of the individual. Previous studies have shown significant levels of stigma towards people with learning disabilities, both from other members of the community and from carers. This is especially the case in relation to the sexuality of people with learning disabilities. Standardised measures of attitudes towards the sexuality of people with learning disabilities (Mitchell et al. 1978) were completed by qualified nurses and other care staff (n = 188). Place of employment was a main variable and it was found that nursing home staff held significantly more conservative attitudes when compared with community care staff. This was the case with attitudes towards homosexuality, and attitudes towards the sexuality of people with mild, moderate and severe/profound learning disabilities. Levels of training emerged as a significant factor. These findings suggest that training and education on issues relating to the sexuality of people with learning disabilities may benefit all care staff, and especially those who work in nursing homes. Training may help to change their attitudes and develop an awareness of the ways in which people with learning disabilities form loving and personal relationships.