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Obesity has numerous consequences for the psychosocial and physical functioning of the individual which most often include comorbidities, disorders, and negative social attitudes influencing self-image. These factors indirectly associate obesity with problems in the sphere of sex life. Empirical evidence on this issue is relatively unambiguous but studies that focus on the positive dimensions of sex life do not provide clear-cut conclusions. Previous studies have often been carried out in specific groups and various socio-cultural conditions. The current study analyzed the relationship between sexual satisfaction and a variable describing preferences, expectations, and needs of obese people and non-obese people. Satisfaction was analyzed taking into account two components. One reflected the degree of discrepancy/convergence between the desired and actual frequency of sexual behavior. The other reflected the degree of pleasure felt in connection with actual sexual behavior. The sample consisted of 148 obese people and 128 non-obese people. Three measures were used: the Sexual Activity Questionnaire, Sexual Stimulus Scale, and Sexual Needs and Reaction Scale. The groups did not differ significantly in terms of sexual satisfaction in either dimension. The results of the regression analysis showed a more complex structure of correlations between satisfaction, preferences, expectations, and needs in obese people compared to non-obese people. Also, the activity of the partner, including experiences during full penetration, was found to be most important for pleasure (as one of the dimensions of satisfaction) in the test group.

The following is a review article on psychosexual development and functioning of persons with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). The article discusses how the diagnosed qualities of the autistic spectrum in two main areas, i.e. difficulties in social contacts and specific behaviors (according to DSM-5), affect the development of psychosexual experiences. The first area encompasses: difficulties in building relationships with peers, problems in nonverbal communication, deficits in social skills such as compliance with social rules in relationships and empathy. The second area includes the role of specific interests, adherence to routine and specificity of sensory functioning (being oversensitive or undersensitive). The article examines the significance of following the rules, honesty, responsibility, altruism, and disorders (such as anxiety and depression) in persons with ASD for their social and psychosexual functioning. The main aspects of psychosexual experiences investigated in the article are: gender and sexual identity, partner relationships (friendships and intimate relationships), sexual behaviors (in a relationship, outside the relationship, like masturbation). Within these aspects categories of experiences, sensations, needs, attitudes, desires, expectations, and difficulties are analyzed. Special attention was devoted to adolescence in persons with ASD. Differences in experiences of persons with ASD were presented with reference to the complexity and variety of autistic spectrum disorders both in the quantitative and the qualitative dimension. Thorough assessment of the situation, including individual possibilities and limitations, and their environmental determinants is crucial to really understand the issue and avoid taking a stereotypical approach to interpreting problems related to i.e. emotional-affectionate experiences of persons with ASD.

The article presents research results of a study aimed at determining the correlation between empathy understood as a personality disposition and general attitudes towards individuals with disabili...

The article describes the results of research involving mothers with intellectual disabilities. The aim of author's own study was to learn about maternal experiences related to raising children with intellectual disabilities. The experiences were described in greater detail in relation to the diagnosed disabilities of their children, early stage of their upbringing, problems emerging during their development, involvement of significant (supporting) persons. In addition, issues addressed in the study included description of maternal competences, the subjective meaning and essence of motherhood, and perception of the role of one's own disability in acting as a mother. Moreover, factors related to life situation of mothers, their previous experiences, especially experiences in their families of origin and personality features significant for the quality of motherhood, were identified.

The paper analyzes the results of the author's own research on the significant role played by courtesy stigma in the concept of self and marital satisfaction among spouses of individuals with a mobility disability. Considering the global level of courtesy stigma (perceived and enacted), its significance for selected characteristics of the self-concept among the non-disabled spouses, as well as for their marital satisfaction in specific aspects and generally, was analyzed. The sample consisted of 85 non-disabled individuals. The material for analysis was obtained using the Courtesy Stigma Questionnaire developed by the author, as well as Tennessee Self-Concept Scale by W. H. Fitts and the Well-Matched Marriage Questionnaire by M. Plopa. The level of courtesy stigma, in both aspects, was found to significantly differentiate characteristics of respondents' concept of self and marital satisfaction. Individuals with high levels of stigma revealed relatively the highest level of self-criticism and identification with the self, but also ascribed the highest value to specific aspects of the self. The most positive image of a marital relationship with the relatively highest feeling of intimacy and similarity, and at the same time, the lowest disappointment levels, was found among individuals with low levels of stigma (perceived and enacted).

The following article contains an analysis of medicine and pedagogy students’ attitudes towards sexuality. These attitudes were studied with the use of a scale of author’s own construction. The scale was used to determine: (1) the nature of respondents’ attitudes towards individual aspects of sexuality including several criteria: quality of life, health, acceptability, and morality; and (2) respondents’ preferences of normative regulations of sexual behaviours. It was found that the respondents accept love as relatively the most important aspect for the quality of life, and sex education (seen as a moral aspect). Students also give positive scores to physical aspects of sexuality, yet the scores are lower. Natural contraception in all its aspects is evaluated positively, whereas artificial contraception is evaluated ambiguously, similarly to masturbation and homosexuality. The fundamental norm in regulating sexual behaviour is the welfare of other human beings, the least important are the teachings of the...

The article discusses parenting of individuals with disability. It was based on the perspective of barriers, which (next to the perspective of risk and the functional perspective) marks the nature of discourse this theme takes in the literature on the subject and in practice. The perspective of barriers, related to the social model of disability, emphasizes the social factors important for the quality of parenting of individuals with disability. These factors were analyzed on the basis of available research results with mothers and fathers with disability, and able-bodied individuals who are part of their professional and non-professional environment. The article draws attention to the specificity of socialization of individuals with disability and its significance for preparations for family roles, social attitudes towards disabled individuals’ parenting, and their determinants. It also presents disabled parents’ experiences and the importance of realizing their role of a mother or father.