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Understanding Sexuality and Disability: Using Interpretive Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approaches

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Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences

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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 belonging, it is important for researchers in this area to engage deeply with understandings of how 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 Phenomenological 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 sexuality. The chapter also provides procedural guidelines for applying IHPA to studying sexuality with CP in addition to the strengths and limitations of this approach. IHPA provides a unique advantage to studying heath issues with hidden populations or socially sensitive topics with the general population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, 2751, Penrith, NSW, Australia

    Tinashe Dune

  2. University of Sydney, 2141, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia

    Elias Mpofu

  3. Educational Psychology and Inclusive Education, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Elias Mpofu

Authors
  1. Tinashe Dune
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  2. Elias Mpofu
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Correspondence to Tinashe Dune .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Health, Locked Bag 1797, CA.02.35, Western Sydney Univ, School of Science & Health, Locked Bag 1797, CA.02.35, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Dune, T., Mpofu, E. (2017). Understanding Sexuality and Disability: Using Interpretive Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approaches. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2779-6_130-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2779-6_130-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-2779-6

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