Factors affecting residential staff's role in supporting the sexuality of adults with intellectual disabilities

Background For adults with intellectual disabilities living in a residential care facility, support staff, who are an integral part of their daily lives, can play an important role in supporting their sexuality. Even though multiple programmes exist, barriers remain when it comes to their application. This study aimed to identify factors affecting residential staff's perception of their role in supporting the sexuality of adults with intellectual disabilities living in a residential care facility as well as facilitators and barriers to that support. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 support staff. Results A thematic analysis revealed four factors, namely support staff's role, facilitators and barriers, sexuality of residents with intellectual disabilities and policies and regulations. Conclusion Results illustrate the importance of expanding support staff's knowledge, clarifying procedures for implementing the support staff's role and establishing a clear practise framework.