Challenges of having a loving partner: the views of adults with intellectual disabilities

Carol Puyaltó; Maria Pallisera; Judit Fullana; Gemma Díaz-Garolera

doi:10.1080/20473869.2019.1701786

Challenges of having a loving partner: the views of adults with intellectual disabilities

Int J Dev Disabil. 2019 Dec 17;68(1):64-72. doi: 10.1080/20473869.2019.1701786. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Carol Puyaltó¹, Maria Pallisera¹, Judit Fullana¹, Gemma Díaz-Garolera¹

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Educational Research, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.

Abstract

Background: Making decisions about feelings and relationships is a challenge for many people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aim of this article is to explore their opinions regarding the difficulties they experience in relation to having a partner and living together.

Method: Nine advisers with ID with experience in inclusive research discussed issues about having a loving partner during 8 meetings. Discussions were recorded, and a thematic content analysis was conducted.

Results: The results show that the network of social relationships, control over one's own intimate relationships, obtaining the right support and having training in couple relationships are key elements in people with ID having a satisfying couple relationship.

Conclusions: The research gives visibility to the difficulties that people with ID encounter in having intimate couple relationships and sheds light on the need to undertake actions that contribute to their right to intimate citizenship.

Keywords: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; couple relationships; intimacy; loving partner; people with intellectual disability.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the MINECO (Spanish Public Science Foundation) (grants number EDU2014-55460-R and EDU2017-84989-R). The funding bodies have not imposed any restrictions on free access to or publication of the research data.