Sexuality and Disability in Rehabilitation Counseling Curricula: Rehabilitation Counselor Educators’ Attitudes, Comfort, and Knowledge

Authors

Sharesa H. McCray, Langston UniversityFollow
Tyra T. Whittaker, North Carolina A & T State UniversityFollow
Jeff Wolfgang, North Carolina A&T State UniversityFollow
Tammy Webb, North Carolina A&T State UniversityFollow
Glacia Ethridge, North Carolina A&T State UniversityFollow

Association Membership

YES

DOI

10.34296/03021042

First Page Number

50

Last Page Number

57

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the attitudes, knowledge, and comfort levels of rehabilitation counselor educators towards sexuality and disability, and to determine if significant differences exist within variables.

Method: Data was collected from a sample of rehabilitation counselor educators (N=27) via an internet-based survey. The Knowledge, Comfort, Approach and Attitudes towards Sexuality Scale (KCAASS) and demographic questionnaire was disseminated to collect data. A MANOVA was conducted to examine if there was a relationship among the variables of attitudes, knowledge, comfort, age, gender, and ethnicity.

Results: Results indicates educators having high comfort levels and positive attitudes towards sexuality and disability. The mean for knowledge was low indicating a lower level of knowledge of sexuality and disability. Results indicate that there was no variance among the means of the categorical variables. The only variation that existed within the categorical variables was the gender of the participant.

Conclusion: Further research is warranted to examine the specific needs of educators, students, and graduate programs, as well as exploring differences based upon institutional settings. Future qualitative research in sexuality and disability may also generate testimonials and theories from the perspective of students and educators in expressing their needs. The inclusion of human sexuality within various academic levels of rehabilitation education is warranted to increase competence of both students and educators.

Keywords: Sexuality, Rehabilitation, and Counselor Education

Recommended Citation

McCray, S. H., Whittaker, T. T., Wolfgang, J., Webb, T., & Ethridge, G. (2022). Sexuality and Disability in Rehabilitation Counseling Curricula: Rehabilitation Counselor Educators’ Attitudes, Comfort, and Knowledge. Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education, 3 (2), 50-57. https://doi.org/10.34296/03021042