Healthy relationships is an important factor that significantly influences the overall well-being of individuals. The development of intimate relationships is also relevant in identity formation. However, one of the issues that individuals with disabilities constantly worry about is the potential impact of the disability on their present and future intimate relationships.
Intimacy is often misconstrued as being associated solely with sexual and romantic experiences, but intimacy can also be experienced among family members and friends. Intimacy progresses in healthy relationships when individuals feel validated and understood after disclosing something to another person. The exhibited validation and appreciation between the individuals bring a positive impact on their relationships, improving well-being. In contrast, problems in disclosures or communication lead to misinterpretations, causing additional problems in developing and maintaining relationships.
Perceptions and experience of intimacy differ across different developmental stages, particularly with individuals with disabilities. For instance, physical disability may have a huge impact on adolescents’ self-esteem, affecting their ability to connect to others. On the other hand, married individuals experience intimate relationships differently, especially when the partner has a disability. In another instance, individuals with disabilities who are not involved in any relationship may have difficulty establishing intimate relationships.
Healthy Relationships for Adolescents
Intimacy in adolescence plays a vital role in the identity formation of adolescents. Relationships are meaningful during adolescence, but having a disability can leave adolescents vulnerable to social isolation, leading to low levels of self-esteem and poorer self-image. It becomes more difficult for them to explore opportunities to meet people and develop intimate relationships. In addition to the consequences of disability, the problematic representation of media towards people with disabilities as physically flawed contributes to the stigma, making it more difficult to build connections with others.
Married individuals and healthy relationships
A disability can bring changes in marriages. Couples have to adjust and adapt to extreme changes in relationships following an injury or disability. The partner with a disability needs to work out the effects of the disability and several responsibilities simultaneously. On the other hand, the non-disabled partner plays a dual role as lover and caregiver. If couples allow these factors to interfere in their relationships, it can lead to conflicts, causing possible separations.
However, there are also instances that disability brought positive changes in interpersonal healthy relationships. Some reported more stable marriages post-injury than in pre-injury relationships. They felt closer as a family, and communication among them also increased. They have built a strong foundation in their relationship to surpass society’s stereotypes involving intimate relationships with people with disabilities. On the other hand, the partner with a disability learned to minimise the impact of disability in their relationship to adjust to the partner’s needs.
Individuals who are not involved in intimate relationships
Individuals with disabilities who are not involved in an intimate or romantic relationship may have difficulty establishing relationships because of a lack of self-confidence related to the disability. The use of assistive technology devices such as wheelchairs due to mobility impairments limits the chances of individuals with disabilities to meet and attract a new partner. They worry about their level of attractiveness and think that no one wants to date someone in a wheelchair. However, these types of worries and prejudice against their own physical situation have a greater impact on their ability to build new relationships than the disability itself. Their reservations hinder them from meeting and interacting with other people. In turn, the lack of companionship brings a significant void in their lives, making them more frustrated and lonelier. Furthermore, they engage in vicious cycles of assessing potential relationships. They have to take into consideration a lot of factors and ask these questions towards to the other person.
1.) Are they ready to accept the individual for who they are?
2.) Are they aware of the responsibilities in taking care of an individual with a disability?
3.) Are they willing to face the challenges of not having children?
4.) Are they comfortable not having sexual intimacy?
5.) Are they prepared to age with someone who has a disability?
These issues are just some things that individuals with disabilities have to consider in assessing potential relationships. Thinking about these factors can add to their problems, but there are ways to build and improve healthy relationships.
- Establish open communication in relationships.
Talk through various issues in the relationship to prevent miscommunication that may lead to conflicts or breakups. - Provide psycho-education on adolescents.
Help adolescents learn more about intimacy, sexuality, or relationships through various psycho-education programs in the school or community to increase their awareness. - Be open to opportunities.
Break the stigma about people with disabilities and be confident in interacting and meeting other people. Focus on their strengths instead of prioritising the opinions of other people towards disabilities.
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