Sexuality of People with Intellectual Disabilities: Dynamic with Parents and Social Services Personnel in a Chinese Context

Sexuality is a valuable part of people’s lives, including people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Parents and social services personnel are significant parties for promoting the autonomy of people with ID regarding sexuality, although evidence reveals their actions tend to be in the opposite direction. Sexual attitudes do not emerge solely as personal or individual but evolve from interactions with others in a particular sociocultural environment. To explore the sexuality of people with ID, this study set out to understand the dynamic of people with ID, parents and social services personnel within the cultural context of Hong Kong. In total, 19 participants including people with mild ID, parents and social services personnel were recruited. Individual interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and dramaturgy. Findings revealed the participants’ experiences, obstacles, and underlying feelings regarding the sexuality of people with ID, and the phenomenon, “not taking action” formed by all the groups. Chinese Confucian culture was revealed as the factor influencing the dynamic on the issues of sexuality. With respect to cultural expectations, government and social services agency leadership should take the lead to adopt an evidence-based sex education protocol.