Understanding Sexuality and Disability: Using Interpretive Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approaches

Abstract

Disability, and those who live with disability, has been researched widely by scholars across a number of fields. However, there has been relatively little research on how people with cerebral palsy (CP) construct their own sexuality and the importance of the sexual scripts involved in this process. Given that sexuality is a fundamental human right with links to identity, health, and belong- ing, it is important for researchers in this area to engage deeply with understand- ings ofhow people with CP construct, understand, and experience their sexuality. This chapter introduces readers to researching constructions, understandings, and experiences of sexuality by applying an Interpretive Hermeneutic Phenomeno- logical Approach (IHPA) with people with moderate to severe CP. It discusses the rational and processes for applying IHPA to engage participants in these sensitive and complex discussions on their lived experiences of understandings of sexual- ity. The chapter also provides procedural guidelines for applying IHPA to study- ing sexuality with CP in addition to the strengths and limitations ofthis approach. IHPA provides a unique advantage to studying heath issues with hidden populations or socially sensitive topics with the general population.