Self-concept and sexual attitudes, knowledge, and adjustment in college women with early and late onset physical disability

Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-63)This study compared three groups of college women on the following dimensions: self-concept, sexual attitudes, knowledge, experience, and satisfaction, and feelings about parental communication about sex. Groups consisted of women with late onset disability, early onset disability, and no physical disability. Measures utilized in the study were the Tennessee Self-Concept Inventory, the Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Test, a nonstandardized extension of the Sexual Interaction Inventory, and questionnaires developed for this study.\ud Results revealed that the early onset group reported fewer current sexual experiences than did the nondisabled group. The early onset group was dissatisfied with the frequency of sexual behavior to a significantly greater degree than the nondisabled group. Also, both disabled groups believed that they could enjoy sexual experiences more than they did at present in contrast with the nondisabled group.\ud Results showed no significant group differences for self-concept, sexual knowledge or attitudes, or satisfaction with parental communication around sexual issues. Women from all three groups reported a high incidence of sexual abuse, although group differences were not statistically significant.\ud Group differences in sexual satisfaction are discussed in terms of functional, emotional, and social implications. Recommendations are made for further research in this area, including the tracing of social development of women with late onset conditions, assessment of social skills of the two disabled groups relative to each other, and assessment of the differences in men who have established intimate relationships with disabled women and those who have not