Introduction: The American Occupational Therapy Association defines sexual activities as basic activities of daily living. Illness, injury, or disability can significantly affect these activities, requiring professional intervention, as the expression of sexuality remains an important human need regardless of health status. Occupational therapists have a unique role in supporting sexuality as part of occupational identity; however, this area is often neglected due to a lack of knowledge, discomfort, or cultural beliefs. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to explore Slovenian occupational therapists’ opinions on including sexuality in therapy, how often and for what purpose they include it in their interventions, and the reasons why they do not. The study also examined whether occupational therapists perceive themselves as competent to address sexuality-related issues in therapy. Methods: A quantitative approach was used. Data were collected using an online questionnaire, which was fully completed by 93 respondents and partially completed by 15 respondents. Results: Most respondents agree that sexual activities are important for health and well-being, as they contribute to physical satisfaction, emotional bonding, and the fulfilment of reproductive needs (M = 4.5), and that sexual activities influence satisfaction and quality of life (M = 4.2). Nevertheless, 60% of respondents do not include sexuality in their interventions at all, and a quarter include it only rarely. The main reasons are a lack of knowledge and the fact that clients do not raise the issue themselves. Most respondents who include sexuality in interventions from rarely to very often do not agree that addressing sexuality is an important part of therapy (M = 1.9). The highest level of agreement was with the statement that the purpose of including sexuality is to increase clients’ satisfaction and quality of life (M = 3.8). Most respondents disagree that they acquired sufficient knowledge during their studies to address sexuality (M = 1.5) and agree that they need additional education on this topic (M = 3.9). Discussion and conclusion: Although occupational therapists in Slovenia, as elsewhere in the world, recognise the importance of sexuality for health and quality of life, they mostly do not include this area in their interventions. These findings indicate a need for stronger professional support, additional training, and the development of clear guidelines to enable therapists to integrate sexuality more competently and confidently into therapeutic practice. At the same time, further in-depth research is needed to provide more detailed insight into on this important topic and to contribute to the development of practice and the improvement of quality in the field of occupational therapy.
|
