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Portland State University

Gender and Sexuality

Young adults with disabilities -- Interpersonal relations

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How Mental Health Challenges Impact The Sexual And Relational Health Of Young Adults, L. Kris Gowen Jul 2011

How Mental Health Challenges Impact The Sexual And Relational Health Of Young Adults, L. Kris Gowen

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sexual behavior is a normative aspect of young adulthood—90% of young adults have had vaginal intercourse and/or oral sex before the age of 30.1 Similarly, engaging in romantic and/or intimate relationships is seen as an essential developmental task of young adulthood. However, little is known about the sexual and romantic relationships of young adults with serious mental health conditions (SMHC), despite the fact that there is evidence that this population is disproportionately affected by poor sexual health. This article will outline what is known about the sexual and romantic relationships of young adults with SMHC and highlight the importance of …