ERIC Number: EJ1468745
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: EISSN-1468-3148
Available Date: 2025-03-18
Fostering Healthy Relationships in Special Olympic Athletes: Supporting the Intersection of Intellectual Disability and Sexual Health
Stephanie Andreasen1,2; Tessa Allison3; Brennah Kamelchuk4; Victoria Formusa5; Brock Reissner6; Stephanie Howe1,2; Janet McCabe7; Alan S. Martino4; Carly A. McMorris1,2
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v38 n2 e70032 2025
Background: People with intellectual disabilities have equal rights to explore their sexuality and access sexual and reproductive healthcare, yet little is known about their needs and wants when accessing health education. The current study sought to learn about the sexual health interests, attitudes, and educational needs of Special Olympics (SO) athletes. Methods: Thirteen participants completed a questionnaire and a 45-min interview, including SO athletes, coaches and caregivers of SO athletes. Results: Survey responses indicated the importance of access to sexual health education, but significant barriers were noted. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts highlighted the importance of healthy relationships, inequalities in learning, and need for information to promote safety. Conclusions: Findings add to existing evidence that people with intellectual disabilities value healthy relationships and want to learn more about sexual health. Several recommendations are offered to increase the effectiveness of sexual health education.
Descriptors: Intellectual Disability, Athletics, Athletes, Sexuality, Health Behavior, Intimacy, Sex Education, Interpersonal Relationship, Barriers, Foreign Countries
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School and Applied Child Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 2Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 3Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada; 4Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 5Special Olympics Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 6Special Olympics Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 7Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada