Sexuality Flashcards
What 5 factors of life is sexuality linked to?
Biological, psychological, social, cultural, and religious factors
What aspects of the body influence sexuality?
Hormone levels, age, health, and self concept (body image), etc.
Whose sexuality is usually overlooked by providers as a component of wellness?
Clients over 60 and clients with disabilities.
What are the 3 biological dimensions of gender?
What are the 2 psychosocial dimensions of gender?
Chromosomal
Gonadal
Hormonal
Identity: one’s sense of being male or female
Role: Expectations about the way men and women behave.
What hormone determines what internal and external genitalia will develop?
Testosterone
If present, male genitalia
Not present, female genitalia
What are two problems that can develop prenatally?
problems in meiotic cell division in sperm can lead to a Male w/XX or
Female w/XY
Also an insensitivity to testosterone (absence or insufficient number of receptors) leads to a lack of genitalia.
What are the 3 Gender Typing theories?
acquisition of traditional masculine or feminine role
Social Learning Theory–Imitation, Reinforcement–we encourage and discourage according to our own gender rolls.
Gender Schema Theory–Learn ‘concept’ of what it is to be male/female.
Gender Constancy–Similar to ‘object permanence’–child learns gender is permanent.
How can disability have an impact on early childhood sexual development?
Diminished sensation (attention to self) Differently formed genitalia.
(Create opportunities for discussion with parents at key points of development.)
Later Childhood/Adolescence.
What are 3 considerations necessary during sexual development at this age?
Puberty is closely linked to the development of body image and self concept.
Adolescents with visible disabilities need additional support (especially with peer groups).
Sex education is important–disabled are 3-4x’s more likely to be sexually abused.
Early Adulthood
How are the developmentally disabled negatively affects for forming intimate relationships?
There are attitudinal and physical barriers to reproductive health care (ie. contraceptive options, equipment and facilities…)
Healthcare provider insensitivity and limited info.
Middle Adulthood.
When are men and women more vulnerable?
What about the effect of a disability?
Men are more vulnerable to a midlife crisis.
Women enter menopause betwee 45-55.
Onset of disabilities may complicate midlife challenges.
Older Adulthood
What may help cause sexual decline?
Does age effect desire or sexual ability?
What is the main cause of decreased sexual ability?
May decline in physical and mental functions.
Age does not eliminate the desire or ability to engage in sexual relationships/activities.
Declining health is main problem associated with reduced sexual activity.
Healthy sexuality depends on what 3 conditions?
The ability to enjoy and control personal sexual behavior.
Freedom from psychological problems (shame, guilt, and false beliefs that negatively affect sexual relationships.)
Freedom from illnesses, diseases, and impairments that interfere with physical aspects of sexuality.
Define sexual dysfunction
Persistent inability to perform normally in some area of the human sexual response cycle.
31% of men and 43% of women in US suffer from dysfunction.
Define Hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Define Sexual aversion disorder
lack of interest in sex or doesn’t participate.
Normal physical response.
Characterized by a total aversion to (disgust of) sex.
Sexual advances may sicken, repulse, or frighten.
Appears rare in men and more common in women.
