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The Right to Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Found a Family for People with Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review

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Listed:
  • Patricia Pérez-Curiel

    (Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, C./Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Eva Vicente

    (Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, C./Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • M. Lucía Morán

    (Department of Education, University of Cantabria, Av./de los Castros, 52, 39005 Santander, Spain)

  • Laura E. Gómez

    (Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain)

Abstract

Although sexuality, reproductive health, and starting a family are human rights that should be guaranteed for all citizens, they are still taboo issues for people with intellectual disability (ID), and even more so for women with ID. This paper systematically reviews the current qualitative and quantitative evidence on the rights of people with ID in regard to Articles 23 (right to home and family) and 25 (health, specifically sexual and reproductive health) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). A systematic review of the current literature, following PRISMA 2020, was carried out in ERIC, PsychInfo, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science. In all, 151 articles were included for review. The studies were categorized into six themes: attitudes, intimate relationships, sexual and reproductive health, sexuality and sex education, pregnancy, and parenthood. There are still many barriers that prevent people with ID from fully exercising their right to sexuality, reproductive health, and parenthood, most notably communicative and attitudinal barriers. These findings underline the need to continue advancing the rights of people with ID, relying on Schalock and Verdurgo’s eight-dimensional quality of life model as the ideal conceptual framework for translating such abstract concepts into practice and policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Pérez-Curiel & Eva Vicente & M. Lucía Morán & Laura E. Gómez, 2023. "The Right to Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Found a Family for People with Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1587-:d:1036715
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David, H.P. & Smith, J.D. & Friedman, E., 1976. "Family planning services for persons handicapped by mental retardation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 66(11), pages 1053-1057.
    2. Jane Wilbur & Belen Torondel & Shaffa Hameed & Thérèse Mahon & Hannah Kuper, 2019. "Systematic review of menstrual hygiene management requirements, its barriers and strategies for disabled people," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(2), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Jocelyn Dejong, 2006. "Capabilities, reproductive health and well-being," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(7), pages 1158-1179.
    4. Jane Wilbur & Thérèse Mahon & Belen Torondel & Shaffa Hameed & Hannah Kuper, 2019. "Feasibility Study of a Menstrual Hygiene Management Intervention for People with Intellectual Impairments and Their Carers in Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Belén Gutiérrez-Bermejo & Noelia Flores & Pedro J. Amor & Cristina Jenaro, 2021. "Evidences of an Implemented Training Program in Consensual and Responsible Sexual Relations for People with Intellectual Disabilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Sandie Ha & Valerie Martinez, 2021. "Associations between Disability and Infertility among U.S. Reproductive-Aged Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    7. Virpi Mesiäislehto & Hisayo Katsui & Richard Sambaiga, 2021. "Disparities in Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services at the Intersection of Disability and Female Adolescence in Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
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