Barriers and Concerns in Providing Sex Education among Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Experiences from Malay Mothers

Bibliographic Data

ID15501002
AuthorsNawal Nabilah Kamaludin (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Rusnah Muhamad (0000-0002-8393-7899, Universiti Sains Malaysia, corresponding author), Zainab Mat Yudin (0000-0003-4283-3548, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Rosnani Zakaria (0000-0002-7093-8278, Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue3
Pages1070-1070
Publication date2022-01-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19031070
PMID35162094
OpenAlexW4205595309
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited23

Though sex education (SE) may benefit the sexual development and overall well-being of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs), obstacles to its implementation remain. This study highlights barriers and concerns of SE for children with IDs based on their mothers' experiences. We employed a phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews with twenty Malay mothers of children with mild-to-moderate IDs or/and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Four primary hurdles to SE were discovered: (1) mother (2) children (3) family value, and (4) socio-cultural environment. Inadequate knowledge, mothers' perceptions that SE is less necessary at this stage of their children's development, and time constraints were among their main barriers. Another source of hardship was the communication barrier because children with ID have cognitive impairment in their capacity to understand the topic being addressed and more time should be spent throughout the discussion. Family value and socio-cultural elements also had an impact on mothers' intention to deliver SE to their children. Our findings suggest that mothers recognize the importance of SE for their children's well-being. However, the dynamic interaction between the barriers complicates SE. This study emphasizes the necessity for future interventions to overcome hurdles at each level to effectively implement the recommended strategies

Developmental psychology · Malay · Perception · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Value (mathematics · Child Abuse and Trauma · Disability Rights and Representation · Family and Disability Support Research · Psychology

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