Ergothérapie et accompagnement à la sexualité : une étude quantitative sur l’utilisation d’un modèle spécifique pour améliorer la qualité de vie sexuelle des patients hospitalisés en santé mentale

Summary :

Context. Nowadays, patients hospitalized in mental health facilities don’t have access to a fulfilled sexual and emotional life. Apart from their pathologies, this bad consideration of sexuality is often due to hospitalization and care support.
Purpose. The aim of our study was to examine whether the use of the Permission-Limited Information-Specific Suggestions-Intensive Therapy (PLISSIT) model by occupational therapists can improve the sexual and emotional quality of life of mental health inpatients. The study compared two groups of occupational therapists, those who used the approach and those who didn’t.
Method. A questionnaire was constructed based on a review of the literature. Its internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s α = 0.980). The data were examined using a statistical analysis.
Results. 32 responses were analyzed. Sexual quality of life is associated to the use of the model (p≤0.001). 92 % of occupational therapists who used the model indicated that their care improved patients’ quality of sexual life, compared with 30 % of occupational therapists who didn’t use it. The age and gender of professionals had no significant impact on their view of sexuality, unlike seniority and the year in which they graduated.
Conclusion. The use of the model by occupational therapists would enable patients to regain a satisfactory occupational balance and increase their empowerment in the area of sexuality. However, the attitude of professionals towards patients’ sexuality comes up against personal and professional limits and can sometimes lead to a total lack of consideration. We must continue to develop our expertise in this area.

Article rédigé par :

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  Fauvette Gaillot

  Ergothérapeute DE
  fauvettegaillot@orange.fr