Promoting positive sexual development among children and adolescents after acquired brain injury

Abstract

Positive sexual growth is a key developmental challenge for all children and adolescents. An acquired brain injury (ABI) can create major hurdles to achieving this goal. A conceptual model will be outlined that suggests sexual growth is achieved by progress across six domains, namely: social competence versus social isolation; identity formation, individuation and independence versus dependence and lack of individual identity; physical development versus physical challenge; sexually informed and educated versus sexually ignorant and uneducated; sexually experienced versus sexually inexperienced; and sexually appropriate behaviour versus sexually inappropriate behaviour. The ability to form successful peer relationships is a key mediating factor in the developmental process. Drawing on this model, a number of strategies will be outlined that support the positive sexual development of children and adolescents after ABI.

Citation

Simpson, G. and Simons, M. (2010), "Promoting positive sexual development among children and adolescents after acquired brain injury", Social Care and Neurodisability, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 19-30. https://doi.org/10.5042/scn.2010.0205