Sex counseling: comparison of attitudes of disabled and nondisabled subjects.

The present study compared the views on sex counseling of a group of 103 orthopedically disabled persons and a group of 124 nondisabled persons. Subjects responded to a specially constructed questionnaire covering several issues related to sex counseling. Disabled persons preferred that the counseling be by a physician, rather than by a psychologist or social worker and that the counseling begin as late as ages 16-18, and they were less interested than nondisabled persons in counseling on sexual functioning and establishing a family. The responses of disabled persons were interpreted as indicating their greater anxiety toward the sensitive issue of sex. It was concluded that training programs for professionals--particularly physicians--who deal in sex counseling should include instruction about disabled persons and about the influence of cultural background on clients' attitudes towards sex counseling.