People with intellectual disabilities and sexuality : the employees perceptions and support measures in group housing

The view of the target group is associated with the development of the welfare society and thus has a clear connection to societal norms regarding both intellectual disability and sexuality. The study aims to study the factors that affect the ability of people with intellectual disabilities to express their sexuality and how support measures and guidance for the target group's ability to do so are integrated into community initiatives and social work. This has been done through 7 semi-structured qualitative interviews with employees at group homes. The material has been analyzed with the help of previous research in the field and in relation to the stigma theory. The results show that employees in group housing experience uncertainty in how the support for the target group in sexuality is to be applied. They adapt the support based on individual perceptions and have no official guidelines within the activities. The conclusion is that there is a great need for more knowledge both among those with intellectual disabilities and among professionals, as well as a greater space for the subject in society.