Sexuality and the adult with acquired physical disability.

A theme of this article is that sexuality is a broad concept that includes perceptions of one's self as male or female as well as sexual drives and behaviors, which are influenced by personal, societal, and cultural factors. Disability has demonstrable impact on sexuality and must be taken into account by nurses concerned with rehabilitative approaches to clients with disabilities. Self-assessment by professionals of their attitudes and feelings about sexuality was encouraged. Some strategies were offered by which nurses can define and identify their level of involvement in the sexual counseling of disabled clients. Assessment and information for selected interventions were discussed, as were emerging issues requiring further exploration. The nurse's role as it relates to sexuality in persons with disabilities is to assist clients to find, implement, and integrate their beliefs and behaviors into a healthy and satisfying lifestyle.