Addressing Sexuality in Occupational Therapy Practice: A Qualitative Exploration of Students’ Needs, Barriers, and Facilitators

Disability and chronic disease can have a profound effect on individuals’ sexuality and sexual health, resulting in decreased quality of life for many. While sexuality and sexual health are identified within the domain of occupational therapy (OT), this topic is not routinely addressed in clinical practice. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the perceived needs, facilitators, and barriers to addressing sexuality in clinical practice by 10 graduate OT students recruited from one Western New York (WNY) university. Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted utilizing a researcher developed interview guide. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was used as the conceptual framework for the study. Data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis, followed by mapping the identified themes deductively to the established domains of the TDF. Ten domains were identified as likely to influence whether or not sexuality is addressed in clinical practice, including knowledge, skills, social/professional role and identity, beliefs about capabilities and consequences, intentions, environmental context and resources, social influences, emotions, and behavior regulation. The results highlight the barriers, facilitators, and action steps, as perceived by OT students, that are needed in order to effectively address sexuality in clinical practice, including increasing sexual health curriculum within OT education, providing opportunities for practice and experience, and integrating sexual content into routine practice