Staff characteristics and attitudes towards the sexuality of people with intellectual disability

The identification of individual staff characteristics that have a relationship with specific attitudes of staff caring for people with intellectual disability (ID) may enable targeted training and better support. Method: Sixty-six participants from services for people with ID in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, completed a survey, including the Attitudes to Sexuality Questionnaire (Individuals with an Intellectual Disability; Cuskelly Gilmore, 2007). Results: Staff attitudes towards the sexuality of people with ID were quite positive. Age, program agency position, and training uptake were all associated with positive staff attitudes. Conclusion: Targeted training programs in sexuality can benefit direct care workers in general, and older staff more specifically. Emphasis is warranted in the area of training for managing male sexual behaviours.