The Sexual and Parenting Rights of People with Physical and Psychical Disabilities: Attitudes of Italians and Socio-Demographic Factors Involved in Recognition and Denial

Simona Gabriella Di Santo, Margherita Colombo, Marco Silvaggi, Giorgia Rosamaria Gammino, Valentina Fava, Chiara Malandrino, Chiara Nanini, Cristina Rossetto, Sara Simone and Stefano Eleuteri
Additional contact information
Simona Gabriella Di Santo: IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Roma, Italy
Margherita Colombo: Superior School of Clinical Sexology of Turin, Via Unione Sovietica 335, 10135 Torino, Italy
Marco Silvaggi: Institute of Clinical Sexology (ISC), Via Savoia 78, 00198 Roma, Italy
Giorgia Rosamaria Gammino: Italian Center of Sexology (CIS), Via Scipione Dal Ferro, 4, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Valentina Fava: Research Group for Sexology, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
Chiara Malandrino: Research Group for Sexology, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
Chiara Nanini: Interdisciplinary Centre for Research and Training in Sexology (CIRS), Via Angelo Ceppi di Bairolo 1/8, 16126 Genova, Italy
Cristina Rossetto: Study Center for Affective and Sexual Disorders Treatment (DAS), Via G.T. Invrea 20/2, 16129 Genova, Italy
Sara Simone: Institute of Research and Training (IRF), Via Luigi Alamanni 23, 50123 Firenze, Italy
Stefano Eleuteri: World Association of Sexual Health, c/o Kristen Mark World Association for Sexual Health Secretariat 1300 S. 2nd Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: The sexual and parenting rights (SPRs) of people with disabilities (PwDs) are under-recognized. Sociodemographic factors may influence attitudes towards them. The aims of this study were: (1) to analyze the levels of agreement of a sample of Italian people with some SPRs of PwDs; (2) to inquire if the SPRs of people with psychical disabilities (PwPSYDs) were less recognized than those with physical disabilities (PwPHDs); (3) to verify if sociodemographic characteristics associated with under-recognition. An online anonymous survey was distributed using non-random sampling methods to conduct an inquiry into the level of agreement with statements regarding the SPRs of PwPHDs and PwPSYDs to have satisfying sexuality, to marry, and to adopt children. Answers from 973 Italian participants, aged 18–84 years (71.1% females) were analyzed. At least 70% of respondents declared in favor of the SPRs of PwPHDs. The SPRs of PwPSYDs were always subjected to higher under-recognition. Religiosity, male sex, higher age, and lower education were the factors most often associated with being against the SPRs of PwDs. Improved identification of the less tolerant respondents and the less recognized categories may allow for specific strategies for promoting the recognition of the SPRs for PwDs.

Keywords: sexual rights; physical disabilities; psychical disabilities; sexual minorities; societal attitudes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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