Personal and environmental factors contributing to participation in romantic relationships and sexual activity of young adults with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To study determinants of romantic relationships and sexual activity of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP), focusing on personal and environmental factors.


METHODS
A cohort study was performed with 74 young adults (46 men; 28 women) aged 20-25 years (SD 1.4) with CP (49% unilateral CP, 76% GMFCS level I, 85% MACS level I). All participants were of normal intelligence. Romantic relationships, sexual activity (outcome measures), personal and environmental factors (associated factors) were assessed. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
More females than males with CP were in a current romantic relationship. Self-esteem, sexual esteem and feelings of competence regarding self-efficacy contributed positively to having current romantic relationships. A negative parenting style contributed negatively. Age and gross motor functioning explained 20% of the variance in experience with intercourse. In addition, sexual esteem and taking initiative contributed significantly to intercourse experience.


CONCLUSIONS
For young adults with CP personal factors (20-35% explained variances) seem to contribute more than environmental factors (9-12% explained variances) to current romantic relationships and sexual experiences. We advice parents and professionals to focus on self-efficacy, self-esteem and sexual self-esteem in development of young adults with CP. [


CONCLUSIONS
• The severity of gross motor functioning contributed somewhat to sexual activities, but not to romantic relationships.• High self-efficacy, self-esteem and sexual self-esteem can facilitate involvement in romantic and sexual relationships for young adults with CP.]
Erasmus MC, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. dwiegerink@rijndam.nl
Diana J H G
DJ
Wiegerink
Henk J
HJ
Stam
Marjolijn
M
Ketelaar
Peggy T
PT
Cohen-Kettenis
Marij E
ME
Roebroeck
D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult