Acceptance of sexuality of mentally retarded persons and knowledge and attitudes about sex and mental retardation

his study sought to determine the variables which are related to attitudes toward sexual behavior among persons with mental retardation. Four predictor variables (attitudes toward mentally retarded persons, attitudes toward sex, knowledge about mental retardation, and beliefs about mentally retarded persons' sexuality) were measured by four questionnaires (Attitudes Toward Mentally Retarded Persons Scale, Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Test, Mental Retardation Misconceptions Scale, and Beliefs about Mentally Retarded Persons Sexuality Scale), respectively. The criterion variable, acceptance of sexual behavior among mentally retarded persons, was measured by the Sexuality and Mentally Retarded Attitude Inventory.;A total of 174 respondents from four groups participated: 37 female direct care counselors, 31 female professionals, 57 mothers of mentally retarded children who live in residential facilities, and 52 mothers of mentally retarded children who reside at home. Correlational analysis was used to determine the extent of the relationships between each predictor variable and the criterion variable. For all four respondent groups combined, accurate knowledge about mental retardation, liberal attitudes toward sex, and positive attitudes toward mentally retarded persons significantly predicted acceptance of sexuality among persons with mental retardation...