Exploring How Staff Engage in Conversations Around Sexuality With Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Naoise Webb, Hannah O'Daly, Christine LinehanABSTRACT
Aims
This review explored how health and social care staff engage in sexuality‐related conversations with adults with intellectual disabilities.
Method
Electronic databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus) were searched from January 2006 to August 2025 following PRISMA guidelines. From the initial 1666 studies identified, a total of 23 were retained for narrative synthesis following quality assessment.
Results
A total of 75 sexuality‐related conversations were identified, of which 42 reflected real interactions (occurring [ n = 39] or actively avoided [ n = 3]) and 33 were hypothetical. Facilitators of conversations included trusting relationships, supportive organisational structures and targeted staff education. Key barriers included fear, stigma, role ambiguity and risk‐averse service cultures. Findings highlighted a tension between growing recognition of sexual rights and risk‐driven practice, underscoring the need for staff training, role clarity and rights‐based policies to support open dialogue.
Trial Registration
PROSPERO: CRD42023454984