Quality of Life and Sexuality among People with Mental and Physical Disabilities in the Italian Context

Abstract

Aim: The article analyses sexuality and quality of life among people with mental and physical disabilities in the Italian context. It is aimed at contributing to a social debate over the sexual assistant for disabled people, as this professional is not still present in Italy. The aim of this paper is therefore to reflect on the consequences of the negative attitudes towards sexual life in disabled people, as well as for their families and community. In the collective unconscious, people with physical or mental disabilities are considered unable to live a healthy sexuality. This representation contributes to the spread of false attributions and prejudices. These characteristics may also be found inside the familiar context and its parental, educational style that appears so overprotective of the disabled child, in an attempt to relieve him of any social comparisons. Conclusion: The article was aimed at encouraging a social and political debate towards the introduction of a sexual assistant in Italy where, this professional still not has an institutional recognition. Disabled people’s sexual needs and desires cannot longer be ignored. A long pathway should be undertaken to promote their well-being, towards a dynamic process of change aimed at improving the quality of life of disabled people, their family and community as well.