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Pandemia COVID-19 przyniosła znaczne wyzwania i trudności we wszystkich obszarach życia ludzi na całym świecie. Dotychczasowe doniesienia pokazują, że spowodowała istotne zmiany w jakości codziennego funkcjonowania osób z niepełnosprawnością oraz ich rodzin, ale także zmiany związane z rehabilitacją, leczeniem i edukacją. W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań własnych z udziałem rodziców dzieci z niepełnosprawnością mających na celu poznanie ich funkcjonowania w czasie pandemii COVID-19, w tym problemów, potrzeb oraz strategii radzenia sobie, z uwzględnieniem samych rodziców, dzieci oraz całych rodzin. Zastosowano kwestionariusz własnej konstrukcji. Materiał zebrany od 85 rodziców (głównie matek) potwierdził występowanie niekorzystnych zmian i doświadczeń psychospołecznych we wszystkich trzech analizowanych obszarach związanych z pandemią, w tym zwłaszcza restrykcjami, które jej towarzyszą. Pokazał znaczenie strategii opartych na wykorzystaniu wsparcia, zwłaszcza nieformalnego.

Many fathers with intellectual disabilities experience some difficulties in fulfilling their parenting role due external factors. The quality of their parenting depends on various factors, including the availability and adequacy of support. The aim of this study was to understand the lived experiences associated with social support of fathers with intellectual disabilities.The organisation of the research and data analysis were carried out in accordance with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 fathers with intellectual disabilities.In the analysis, three interrelated themes emerged: Discrepancies between needs and provision of support; Discriminatory practices and feeling (dis)empowered; and Recognition of support.Fathers described negative aspects of their experiences that were not conducive to strengthening paternal competences and led to a sense of loneliness. Positive aspects also emerged, indicating that fathers were determined to fulfil their role despite the lack of adequate support for their needs.

The aim of the article is to discuss the potential importance of the coparenting construct in learning about the essence of specific problems in the field of psychosocial functioning of families with a disabled child. Coparenting is a complex construct whose theoretical and empirical usefulness has been proven in many studies involving parents of non-disabled children. Coparenting describes how parents coordinate their shared responsibility for raising their children by supporting or undermining each other's parenting efforts. There are several theoretical propositions explaining its essence and context. This paper presents the basic assumptions of coparenting based on M. Feinberg's model. Selected trends illustrating its significance for the quality of marital life as well as for the development and functioning of children at different ages are shown. The authors present the results of current studies illustrating the role of coparenting in analyzing the situation of families with a disabled child. The authors also identify categories of issues in which the co-parenting analysis can provide important explanations, including the involvement of fathers or parental adaptation to life with a child with a disability. Some difficulties that may accompany implementing research using the construct are highlighted.

W artykule zaprezentowano wyniki badań własnych, których celem było ustalenie zależności między wymaganiami roli rodzicielskiej u matek i ojców wychowujących dziecko z niepełnosprawnością a ich satysfakcją z rodzicielstwa. W analizach uwzględniono także wiek dziecka z niepełnosprawnością oraz rodzaj niepełnosprawności. Zastosowano narzędzia własnej konstrukcji w postaci Skali Doświadczeń Rodzicielskich, Skali Wymagań w Roli Rodzicielskiej oraz kwestionariusza ankiety. Ostatecznie wykorzystano materiał uzyskany od 83 matek oraz 67 ojców. Na podstawie wyników analizy regresji wielorakiej stwierdzono podobne tendencje w grupie matek i ojców opisujące udział zmiennej Wzbogacenie w kształtowaniu wyników satysfakcji. Częstsze wymagania roli towarzyszyły najczęściej niższej satysfakcji w jej różnych wymiarach. Jedynie sprzeczności w roli rodzica tworzyły w modelach regresji powiązania dodatnie ze zmienną zależną. Rodzaj niepełnosprawności dziecka był istotny tylko w obszarze kształtowania wyników wymagań roli i jednego z aspektów satysfakcji ojców, z kolei zmienna wieku w zakresie oczekiwań zewnętrznych wobec roli macierzyńskiej.

The aim of this research was to determine the trends in the field of analyzing positive aspects of sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). In relation to these findings, the possibilities of applying the model of positive sexuality were presented. A literature search covering studies published between 1980 and 2020 was conducted. 19 studies were included. Researchers focus on partnerships, mainly heterosexual ones, associated experiences, plans and ideas. The results show that people with ID are able to report on experiences accompanying relationships and their depiction is relatively rich. People who do not have such experiences expect them in the future, treating them as a very important aspect of life. Referring to the model of positive sexuality, the areas of research in the population of people with intellectual disability were specified, and the theoretical justification of the model, general methodological aspects and practical usefulness were provided.

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 article addresses the issue of life stories of people with intellectual disabilities, analysing their importance from an individual and group perspective. The potential of this method was highlighted referring to selected studies of people with intellectual disabilities. Functions designated by Elżbieta Dubas were used as the basis for the analysis. Competences relevant to the implementation of life stories have been considered, taking into account their possible limitations in people with disabilities. The focus was on the properties of cognitive processes, but personality competences were also recognized. Potential difficulties related to implementation in this group were noted and ways of overcoming them were suggested. The usefulness of life stories and life histories for the practice of care and rehabilitation of people with intellectual disabilities has been shown.

It is currently believed that functioning in family and professional roles can bring negative and positive experiences, indicating the development of competences useful in both areas. How these are...

This study examined the contribution of parental beliefs, the scope of involvement in family responsibilities, and the sense of being burdened with these responsibilities in shaping the results of conflict and enrichment in the roles of parents of children with disabilities, while keeping the child’s functional status in mind. We analysed data from 168 respondents, including 99 mothers and 69 fathers of children with disabilities. Beliefs, sense of burden with household and family responsibilities, and the child’s functional status had an influence on family-work conflict. The parent’s gender, beliefs, the child’s functional status, sense of burden with responsibilities towards the child with a disability, and the scope of involvement in household and family responsibilities were important for enrichment.

W artykule przeanalizowano wybrane zagadnienia pokazujące potencjał osób z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną w zakresie realizowania ról społecznych. W analizie przeglądowej wykorzystano wyniki dostępnych badań podejmowanych w Polsce oraz za granicą, pokazujących m.in. udział tych osób w rolach opiekuńczych (wynikających ze stosunków rodzinnych, działalności wolontaryjnej i zawodowej) oraz funkcjonowanie w rolach rodzicielskich, partnerskich, zawodowych i self-adwokackich. Tego rodzaju zagadnienia, obrazujące potrzeby, możliwości, satysfakcję, ale również trudności niepełnosprawnych intelektualnie, są ważne zarówno dla procesu rodzinnej socjalizacji, jak i projektowania założeń edukacji i rehabilitacji.

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...

People with intellectual disabilities benefit from many forms of institutional support, which include residential, rehabilitation, and educational services. Changes caused by the pandemic, especially the introduction of new rules relating to various aspects of life, raised several challenges and problems in the functioning of these institutions and for the people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research concerned facilities providing services for people with intellectual disabilities in Poland during the pandemic. The research goal was to determine what changes took place in the rehabilitation and care institutions during the pandemic in terms of their organization and the functioning of their clients and personnel. An online questionnaire was used. The respondents were institution employees. Data showed a number of preventive, educational, and supportive activities carried out by the institutions. Adverse changes in the psychosocial functioning of people with intellectual disabilities and other problems during the pandemic were reported.

Numerous explorations of how parents with children with disabilities function have to date largely adopted a negative perspective. The development of theories focusing on positive experiences of living with disability extended the analysis of parental functioning. Researchers are showing more interest in phenomena which suggest significant positive stress-related changes in the personal and social functioning of mothers and fathers of children with disabilities. Such changes are explained in various theories. This study examines selected topics, such as posttraumatic/stress-related growth, organismic valuing process, and transformation theory. The authors of these theories focus on changes in key belief systems, such as beliefs about self, other people, and the world. The basic assumptions of these theories are analyzed and related to parents with a child with disability. Referring to the results of the available qualitative research, the author shows positive changes connected with raising children with disabilities experienced by parents and suggests what their underlying factors may be.

The article analyzes the relationship between (perceived and affiliate) courtesy stigma and self-concept among spouses of individuals with physical disabilities. The sample consisted of 85 spouses of individuals with physical disabilities. The data was collected using the Courtesy Stigma Questionnaire by Stanisława Byra and Monika Parchomiuk and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale by William H. Fitts. The respondents reported significantly higher results for perceived stigma compared to affiliate stigma. Courtesy stigma manifestations are similar in the cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects. The study found significant relationships between the dimensions of courtesy stigma and self-concept aspects. The highest contribution in accounting for the specific aspects of self-concept (e.g. moral self, personal self, social self) is presented by the affective component of courtesy stigma. Statistically significant, although minor, contribution is also presented by the behavioral component, especially for the physical self, self-criticism and identity scales. The cognitive component of courtesy stigma was found not to account for the self-concept of the spouses in any way.

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 article presents results of a study on the correlation between value preferences and attitudes towards individuals with a disability. Five hundred and eighty respondents took part in the research, among them 300 special needs teachers (SNT) and 280 general teachers (GT). Attitudes towards Individuals with a Disability Scale and Brzozowski’s Scheler Value Scale were used in the research. Significant correlations (Pearson’s r) between attitudes towards individuals with a disability and value preference were found only in the group of SNT and solely in terms of vital values. Canonical analysis showed significant complex correlations between value preferences and attitudes towards individuals with disability in SNT. Preference for the lower values and the rejection of the higher values correlate with ambivalence and with negative attitudes towards individuals with a disability. In the case of GT, the canonical variable is not statistically significant.

Pozytywne zmiany w percepcji matek dzieci z niepelnosprawnością - struktura i uwarunkowania

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 following article discusses the relationship between the model of intellectual disability and the attitudes towards sexuality of people with disabilities. This correlation has been verified during the author’s own research conducted on students of several medical faculties such as nursing, public health, emergency medical services and physiotherapy. Tools of the author’s design have been used in the research. Likert-type scale “Perspective of intellectual disability” has been used to determine the model of disability seen from the medical (individual) or social perspective. To examine the attitudes towards sexuality two tools of the author’s own design have been used: a Likert-type scale “The essence of sexuality in persons with an intellectual disability” which has been used to analyze the cognitive aspect of the attitudes, and a semantic differential with notions concerning physical and psychosocial aspects of sexuality including the affective-evaluative aspect. As expected, significant correlations have been found between the model and the attitudes both in the cognitive and the affective-evaluative aspect. Higher scores for the individual model correlated with: (a) lover scores for most aspects of sexuality of people with intellectual disability, (b) perceiving them as asexual, (c) biological determinism in the sexual sphere. The social model concurred with positive values given to sexuality of people with intellectual disability and its normalization in the sphere of its determinants and symptoms.

The article is a research report from a study on selected groups of specialists’ attitudes towards sexuality of people with intellectual and physical disabilities. 98 persons, including special educators, social workers, nurses and physiotherapists, completed semantic differentials of the author’s design. The Author’s own research concerned a broader meaning of sexuality taking into account its physical and psychosocial aspects. Sexual behavior, partnerships, contraception and sex education were among the concepts analyzed on the constructed differential. It was concluded that specialist respondents show more consent (stronger acceptance and more positive evaluation) to most aspects of sexuality of physically but not people with intellectual disabilities. Only sterilization is more accepted by them in relation to individuals with intellectual disability.

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.

The paper presents the results of author’s own research investigating the rela- tionships between attachment styles and marital satisfaction among partners of individuals with a mobility disability. The analyses were intended to determine the strength of attachment behaviours (secure, avoidant and ambivalent [anxious-resistant insecure] attachment) and to identify the general level of relationship satisfaction and its specific aspects (intimacy, dissapointment, self-fulfilment and similarity), as well as the correlation between the two variables. Also, the significance of variables such as the cause of spouse’s disability and manner in which the disability has been perceived by the non-disabled spouse for the cor- relation was also verified. The research material was obtained from 85 spouses of individuals who became disabled as a result of a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke and lower limb amputation. Measures used in the study included the Well-Matched Marriage Questionnaire (KDM-2) developed by M. Plopa and J. Rostowski; Attachment Style Questionnaire (KSP) by M. Plopa; Permanent Disability/Chronic Disease and Accompanying Limitations Questionnaire by S. Byra, as well as author’s own questionnaire.