Despite the known benefits of experiencing healthy intimate relationships in adulthood, adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are often denied these experiences. This occurs because of deficits in their sexuality education, as well as restrictions placed on them from parents and caregivers-limiting opportunities for sexuality expression and intimate relationships. High rates of abuse and exploitation that occur within this population can lead parents to use tools such as guardianship to maintain control over the sexuality education they receive and the types of interpersonal relationships in which their adult child can engage. However, such restrictions do not deter adults with ID from desiring intimate relationship experiences. Instead, restrictions frequently lead to secretive relationships, which often include abuse and exploitation. Although we understand these patterns, there is still a gap in our understanding of the role parents specifically play in their adult child's experiences of romantic relationships. The purpose of this research project was to examine the role that parents play in the creation and maintenance of intimate relationships, as well as their experiences responding to the sexuality expression for their adult with ID. This was done by examining parents who have an adult child with ID, as well as a typically developing (TD) adult child, and comparing parental experiences between these two adult children. This study used a mixed methods design was used within this study including an online survey with 50 parents nationwide, and follow-up phone/video conferencing interviews with a subset of 20 parents from the survey. Both the survey and interview demonstrate parental experiences and perceptions regarding sexuality education, expression, and intimate relationship experiences for both of their adult children.Study 1 examined the parental role in overall sexuality education and sexuality expression for adult children with and without ID. Parents elaborated on educational methods, as well as how they help their adult children develop positive sexuality expression and manage sexual behaviors. Findings from this study indicate that parents are more involved with their adult child with ID and struggle to determine the appropriate level of sexuality education they should be providing to them. Study 2 examined the parental role of helping their adult children with ID create and maintain intimate relationships in comparison to their TD adult children. Parents struggled to determine the appropriate level of involvement they should have in the romantic relationships of their adult child with ID, and voiced a strong need for coaching and mentoring parents in these areas. Both studies contribute to the knowledge base of sexuality expression and intimate relationships among adults with ID by further exploring the parental role, and the educational and training needs for parents trying to navigate these experiences successfully.
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