Sexual Behavior Among Persons With Cognitive Impairments

Although the cognitively impaired are frequently included in heterogeneous studies of problematic sexual behavior, the epidemiology, etiology, and approach to assessment and treatment of persons with dementia and intellectual disability are distinct from those of the general population. The incidenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current psychiatry reports 2017-05, Vol.19 (5), p.25-25, Article 25
Main Authors: Thom, Robyn P., Grudzinskas, Albert J., Saleh, Fabian M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior Control - methods
Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology
Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology
Cognitive Dysfunction - therapy
Dementia - complications
Dementia - psychology
Disabled Persons - psychology
Forensic psychiatry
Humans
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Patient Selection
Population
Problem Behavior - psychology
Psychiatry
Psychotropic Drugs - therapeutic use
Section Editor
Sex Offenses - prevention & control
Sex Offenses - psychology
Sexual behavior
Sexual Behavior - psychology
Sexual Disorders (G Dwyer
Topical Collection on Sexual Disorders
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Summary:Although the cognitively impaired are frequently included in heterogeneous studies of problematic sexual behavior, the epidemiology, etiology, and approach to assessment and treatment of persons with dementia and intellectual disability are distinct from those of the general population. The incidence of inappropriate sexual behavior among the intellectually disabled is 15–33%; however, the nature tends to be more socially inappropriate than with violative intent. Limited sociosexual education is a large contributor, and better addressing this area offers a target for prevention and treatment. A thorough clinical assessment of problematic sexual behaviors in the cognitively impaired requires understanding the patient’s internal experience, which can be challenging. Assessment tools validated for the general population have not been validated for this population. Very few studies have assessed treatment approaches specifically among the cognitively impaired; however, research does suggest utility in habilitative, psychotherapeutic, and pharmacologic approaches which have been validated among the general population.
ISSN:1523-3812
1535-1645
DOI:10.1007/s11920-017-0777-7