Table 1
Characteristics of participants.
| DEMOGRAPHIC | ||
|---|---|---|
| VARIABLE | N | % |
| Gender | ||
| Non-binary | 4 | 6.0 |
| Female | 42 | 62.7 |
| Male | 21 | 31.3 |
| Age | ||
| 18–25 years | 8 | 11.9 |
| 26–34 years | 26 | 38.8 |
| 35–45 years | 22 | 32.8 |
| 46–55 years | 6 | 9.0 |
| 56–67 years | 5 | 7.5 |
| How long have you had BPA? | ||
| Six months–less than a year | 3 | 4.5 |
| 1–2 years | 4 | 6 |
| 2.5–5 years | 20 | 29.9 |
| More than five years | 40 | 59.7 |
| What BPA company do you use? | ||
| Non-profit service provider | 19 | 28.4 |
| Private service provider | 48 | 71.6 |
| How many hours of BPA do you have each week? | ||
| Less than 25 hours | 17 | 25.4 |
| 25–34 Hours | 4 | 6.0 |
| 35–50 Hours | 12 | 17.9 |
| 51–99 Hours | 12 | 17.9 |
| 100–168 Hours | 15 | 22.4 |
| More than 168 hours | 7 | 10.4 |
| Would you say that your disability is visible to others? | ||
| No, not at all | 3 | 4.5 |
| Yes, in some situations | 11 | 16.4 |
| Yes, all or most of the time | 53 | 79.1 |
| Sexual orientation | ||
| Bisexual | 7 | 10.4 |
| Heterosexual | 53 | 79.1 |
| Lesbian/homosexual | 3 | 4.5 |
| Queer | 3 | 4.5 |
| Do not want to answer | 1 | 1.5 |
| Sexually active | ||
| Yes, both alone and with others | 21 | 31.3 |
| Yes, with myself (masturbation) | 22 | 32.8 |
| Yes, with partner(s) | 15 | 22.4 |
| No, I do not want it | 1 | 1.5 |
| No, but I wish I was | 8 | 11.9 |
Table 2
Advice and knowledge.
| QUESTION | YES | NO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Have you received counseling about ‘sexuality and assistance’ from your current or former service provider? | 11.9% (8) | 88.1% (59) | |||
| Statement | Strongly disagree | Disagree | Partially agree | Agree | Strongly agree |
| I believe that as a disabled person, I should be able to receive advice on sexuality and assistance from my service provider. | 16.4% (11) | 7.5% (5) | 26.9% (18) | 20.9% (14) | 28.4% (19) |
| I have sufficient knowledge about what is permissible to get help with when it comes to facilitating sexual activities (for example, masturbation and sex with partner(s)) | 17.9% (12) | 13.4% (9) | 23.9% (16) | 14.9% (10) | 28.4% (19) |
| I would rather avoid sexual activities (such as sex and masturbation) than receive assistance for these tasks. | 13.4% (9) | 17.9% (12) | 17.9% (12) | 14.9% (10) | 34.3% (23) |
| I do not use personal assistants to facilitate sexual activities. | 4.5% (3) | 7.5% (5) | 10.4% (7) | 7.5% (5) | 68.7% (46) |
| If I need assistance in facilitating sexual activities, I receive this from my partner(s) or others such as a friend or a family member. | 34.3% (23) | 4.5% (3) | 14.9% (10) | 10.4% (7) | 35.8% (24) |
| I feel comfortable initiating a conversation with my BPA assistant(s) about sexual health and sexuality | 25.4% (17) | 11.9% (8) | 28.4% (19) | 19.4% (13) | 14.9% (10) |
Table 3
Communication about sexual health.
| STATEMENT | STRONGLY DISAGREE | DISAGREE | PARTIALLY AGREE | AGREE | STRONGLY AGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I feel comfortable discussing my facilitation needs for specific sexual activities with my personal assistant(s) | 31.3% (21) | 19.4% (13) | 26.9% (18) | 10.4% (7) | 11.9% (8) |
| I have enough knowledge to talk about my sexual health and any facilitation needs around sexuality with my personal assistants(s) | 16.4% (11) | 16.4% (11) | 25.4% (17) | 20.9% (14) | 20.9% (14) |
| I believe that I may feel uncomfortable if the personal assistant(s) ask questions about my sexuality and/or sexual health. | 20.9% (14) | 13.4% (9) | 23.9% (16) | 20.9% (14) | 20.9% (14) |
| I am worried that the BPA assistant(s) may feel uncomfortable if I talk about sexual health and any facilitation needs around sexuality | 7.5% (5) | 16.4% (11) | 25.4% (17) | 20.9% (14) | 29.9% (20) |
Table 4
Specific sexual activities and experiences.
| STATEMENT | NONE | ONE ASSISTANT | A SELECT FEW ASSISTANTS | ALMOST ALL ASSISTANTS | ALL ASSISTANTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| If you have received assistance with sexuality, how many of the current employees assist with this? | 58.2% (39) | 4.5% (3) | 17.9% (12) | 10.4% (7) | 1.5% (1) |
| Question | Yes | No | |||
| Have you received assistance with romantic activities from your BPA assistants? | 47.8% (32) | 52.2% (35) | |||
| Have you received assistance from your BPA assistants with facilitating masturbation? | 20.9% (14) | 79.1% (53) | |||
| Have you received assistance from your BPA assistant(s) with facilitating sex with your partner(s)? | 20.9%(14) | 79.1%(53) | |||
| Statement | Strongly disagree | Disagree | Partially disagree | Agree | Strongly agree |
| Consider the following statement: I think it is unproblematic to get BPA assistance with romantic activities (dating, swiping on dating apps (Tinder, etc.), making a move, or finding a partner(s)) | 16.4% (11) | 10.4% (7) | 35.8% (24) | 13.4% (9) | 23.9% (16) |
| Consider the following statement: I do not care if the BPA assistant(s) handle my sexuality aids. | 41.8% (28) | 20.9% (14) | 14.9% (10) | 9.0% (6) | 13.4% (9) |
| Consider the following statement: I think it is unproblematic to receive assistance with practicing sexuality with a partner(s) | 41.8% (28) | 16.4% (11) | 26.9% (18) | 6.0% (4) | 9.0% (6) |
| I think it is unproblematic to receive assistance with facilitation when it comes to masturbation/self-pleasure | 47.8% (32) | 17.9% (12) | 19.4% (13) | 6.0% (4) | 9.0% (6) |
Table 5
worries and fears.
| STATEMENT | STRONGLY DISAGREE | DISAGREE | PARTIALLY AGREE | AGREE | STRONGLY AGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am worried that the personal assistant(s) may develop sexual and/or romantic feelings for me if they assist with tasks related to sexuality. | 71.6% (48) | 16.4% (11) | 6.0% (4) | 3.0% (2) | 3.0% (2) |
| I am worried that I will develop sexual and/or romantic feelings for the personal assistant(s) if they assist with tasks related to sexuality. | 59.7% (40) | 19.4% (13) | 13.4% (9) | 4.5% (3) | 3.0% (2) |
| I am worried that I may be subjected to sexual assault and/or sexual abuse if I receive assistance related to sexuality | 68.7% (46) | 13.4% (9) | 13.4% (9) | 1.5% (1) | 3.0% (2) |