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Sexual Behavior Among Persons With Cognitive Impairments
Robyn P Thom1, Albert J Grudzinskas2, Fabian M Saleh3
1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Rabb-2, Psychiatry 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. rthom@bidmc.harvard.edu.
Current Psychiatry Reports
|April 19, 2017
Summary
Problematic sexual behavior in individuals with cognitive impairments, like dementia and intellectual disability, requires distinct assessment and treatment strategies. Addressing limited sociosexual education is key for prevention and intervention in this population.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cognitively impaired individuals are often studied alongside the general population for problematic sexual behavior.
- However, the epidemiology, etiology, assessment, and treatment for those with dementia and intellectual disability are unique.
- This necessitates specialized approaches distinct from general population strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the distinct nature of problematic sexual behavior in cognitively impaired populations.
- To identify key factors contributing to these behaviors, such as limited sociosexual education.
- To discuss challenges and potential strategies for assessment and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on problematic sexual behavior in cognitively impaired individuals.
- Analysis of the incidence and nature of inappropriate sexual behavior in intellectual disability.
- Exploration of assessment challenges and potential therapeutic modalities.
Main Results:
- The incidence of inappropriate sexual behavior in intellectual disability is 15-33%, often socially inappropriate rather than violative.
- Limited sociosexual education is a significant contributing factor.
- Assessment tools for the general population are not validated for this group.
Conclusions:
- Problematic sexual behavior in cognitively impaired individuals requires tailored assessment and treatment.
- Improving sociosexual education is a crucial preventive and therapeutic target.
- While specific research is limited, habilitative, psychotherapeutic, and pharmacologic approaches show potential utility.