Sexual Experience of Women with a Physical Disability: A Comparative Study

The sexual experience of 167 women was compared: 82 women who suffered from a physical disability; 85 women free of physical impairment. Each participant filled out an extensive questionnaire (Frenken & Vennix, 1978). Areas investigated were sexual acceptance, psychosexual stimulation, sexual motivation and general sexual satisfaction. Sexual knowledge and sexual experience were briefly explored. Conclusions, which can be drawn from the study, appear to be that women with a disability have a more rejective attitude towards sexuality, less sexual knowledge and less experience with intercourse. They are less satisfied with their sexual experience. No difference was found with regard to sexual desire and fantasy; likewise both groups share equal sexual motivation when actively living in a sexual relationship.