ASSESSMENT OF THE ADEQUACY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIORS IN THE INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

The present study was developed with an exploratory approach in order to investigate the structure of an scale to evaluate the adequacy of sexual behaviors in persons with intellectual disabilities. The author was invited by institutions specialized in care, prevention and inclusion of individuals with such disability to develop the scale, prior the study, in order to map the inadequate behaviors. Were invited for this mapping, 98 parents, between the ages of 33 and 74 years old, responsible for individuals with this disability, with ages varying between 11 and 35 years old. The retrospective evaluation of the applications provided to the scale significant evidences of operation. Three interpretable dimensions were extracted and denominated as adequacy of sexual behavior, orientation and autonomy, and distinguished between public and private. The dimensions were capable of discriminating characteristics of the sample in regards to gender and education. Weigh up limitations regarding the size of the sample, and despite this fact, the results were favorable to the search of evidences of validity of the scale as well as its improvement.