Sexual attitudes, behavior and satisfaction for able-bodied and disabled participants attending workshops in human...

Since 1973, Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) Workshops have been conducted for persons with physical handicaps, health care professionals and interested members of the community. Although reassessment of personal sexual attitudes is the primary objective of the workshops, several closely related objectives have emerged: (1) evaluation of the impact of the experience on changing both sexual attitudes and behaviors; (2) evaluation of the sexual satisfaction and problem areas of participants with particular reference to persons with physical disabilities; and (3) provision of an institute-wide catalyst for initiating programs and services based on newly identified unmet needs. This article presents data from 15 workshops with emphasis on comparing the sexual attitudes, behavior and satisfaction of the able-bodied and the disabled participants. Of the 650 participants, 98 (15%) were disabled and of this group approximately 75% had spinal cord injury. Comparison of pre- and post-workshop responses to sexual attitude scales showed similar and significant changes on four of nine scales for both the able-bodied and disabled groups. Analysis of sexual behavior and satisfaction by physical status revealed that the disabled participants were less active than the able-bodied participants although both groups reported similar percentages of satisfaction (38 and 41% respectively) with their current level of sexual activity. Lack of partners was cited most frequently by both groups as the major reason for dissatisfaction with current sexual status. Implications of these findings are discussed with regard to sexual counseling and areas of further research.