Psychoeducation on reproductive health for adolescent with intellectual disability

Frieda Maryam Mangunsong Siahaan

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Adolescents with intellectual disability tend to show inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as lack of sexual knowledge and social skills as well as low interpersonal skill (Craig & Lindsay, 2010). Isler, Beytut, Tas, and Conk (2009) state that adolescents with intellectual disability experience sexual desire and sexual needs, even when no one would talk to them about their feelings. On the other side, these adolescents also have a risk to be sexually abused (Browne & McManus, 2010). Isler et al (2009) suggests that parents are the primary sex educators for their children, but many parents are afraid to talk with their children (regardless whether their children are disabled or not) about sex. Based on this phenomenon, needs assessment were conducted to parents and teachers who accompany their Intellectual Disability adolescents dealing with their reproductive health issues. To achieve this, we employed the Reproductive Health Module that includes characteristics of adolescents with intellectual disability and practical ways to assist adolescents understand how the reproductive health system impact their cognitive, affection and psychomotor functions. The module was validated using a Focus Group Discussion with a group of parents, teachers, caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability, and representatives of Non Government Organizations and relevant stakeholders. The module was specifically arranged according to the needs of the participants. The training was conducted using lectures, Questions and Answers, games, and role-plays. A group of parents, teachers, and caregivers of the Intellectual Disability teens (N = 18), who in everyday life involved and interacted with them were invited to participate in the training. The training was conducted in six sessions, each session lasted for two hours. Two main facilitators and four co-facilitators were involved in each session. We found this module significantly effective to increase the knowledge and skills of participants. This was reflected in the results of the training that showed a significant difference between the t-test result of pre-training (t (17)= 17.131, p= 0.000) and t-test post-training (t (17) = 27.577, p= 0.000). As participant outcomes, more special educators, parents, intellectual disability caregivers will need to know the training module of Reproductive Health, with psychoeducation approach for adolescent with Intellectual Disability.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventInternational Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2017 - HU, Budapest, Hungary
Duration: 1 Jan 2017 → …

Conference

ConferenceInternational Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2017
Country/TerritoryHungary
CityBudapest
Period1/01/17 → …

Keywords

  • Reproductive Health, Psychoeducation, Intellectual Disability.

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