View in EDS

The Impact of Acquired Communication Impairments on Sexuality and Intimacy: A Scoping Review

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Impact of Acquired Communication Impairments on Sexuality and Intimacy: A Scoping Review
Language: English
Authors: Laura Lin Wolford (ORCID 0000-0002-2823-0989), Vanessa Arratia, Nicholas Behn (ORCID 0000-0001-9356-9957), Emma Power (ORCID 0000-0002-2638-0406)
Source: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2025 60(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 27
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Speech Impairments, Sexuality, Intimacy, Communication Disorders, Speech Language Pathology, Quality of Life
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.70023
ISSN: 1368-2822
1460-6984
Abstract: Background: Communication is critical to sexuality and sexual health. It is therefore reasonable to assume that acquired communication impairments would impact sexuality, but research is sparse. The research that does discuss these impacts can be difficult to find, as studies are spread across a wide variety of literature bases, and sexual topics are often combined with other concerns. Coupled with clinicians' discomfort in addressing sexual issues, this leads to a lack of clinical support for patients' sexual concerns. Aims: This scoping review aimed to map and summarize the existing literature on sexuality and acquired communication impairments. Methods & Procedures: Six databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus. To find studies from the literature on acquired communication impairments and their aetiologies that addressed sexuality and communication, a combination of sexuality and communication impairment terms was used. A total of 97 articles met inclusion criteria. Main Contribution: Across aetiologies and literature bases, acquired communication impairments have been found to negatively affect sexuality. However, researchers rarely evaluate the nature of the communication impairment or its effects on sexuality directly. People with communication impairments are more often systematically excluded from acquired disability research on sexuality. Using the reviewed literature, we present recommendations for including sexuality-related topics in communication disorder research and including people with communication impairments in sexuality-related research. We also present recommendations for speech-language pathologists to begin incorporating sexuality-related topics in their clinical practice. Conclusions & Implications: The effects of communication impairments on sexuality are insufficiently researched. The literature that does exist points to substantial impacts. This area of research deserves more concerted attention so that clinicians may have guidance and support in addressing the issue with their clients.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1464119
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1464119
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: The Impact of Acquired Communication Impairments on Sexuality and Intimacy: A Scoping Review
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Laura+Lin+Wolford%22">Laura Lin Wolford</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2823-0989">0000-0002-2823-0989</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vanessa+Arratia%22">Vanessa Arratia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nicholas+Behn%22">Nicholas Behn</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9356-9957">0000-0001-9356-9957</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emma+Power%22">Emma Power</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-0406">0000-0002-2638-0406</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Language+%26+Communication+Disorders%22"><i>International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders</i></searchLink>. 2025 60(2).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 27
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Impairments%22">Speech Impairments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexuality%22">Sexuality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intimacy%22">Intimacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Disorders%22">Communication Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Language+Pathology%22">Speech Language Pathology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Quality+of+Life%22">Quality of Life</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1111/1460-6984.70023
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1368-2822<br />1460-6984
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Communication is critical to sexuality and sexual health. It is therefore reasonable to assume that acquired communication impairments would impact sexuality, but research is sparse. The research that does discuss these impacts can be difficult to find, as studies are spread across a wide variety of literature bases, and sexual topics are often combined with other concerns. Coupled with clinicians' discomfort in addressing sexual issues, this leads to a lack of clinical support for patients' sexual concerns. Aims: This scoping review aimed to map and summarize the existing literature on sexuality and acquired communication impairments. Methods & Procedures: Six databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus. To find studies from the literature on acquired communication impairments and their aetiologies that addressed sexuality and communication, a combination of sexuality and communication impairment terms was used. A total of 97 articles met inclusion criteria. Main Contribution: Across aetiologies and literature bases, acquired communication impairments have been found to negatively affect sexuality. However, researchers rarely evaluate the nature of the communication impairment or its effects on sexuality directly. People with communication impairments are more often systematically excluded from acquired disability research on sexuality. Using the reviewed literature, we present recommendations for including sexuality-related topics in communication disorder research and including people with communication impairments in sexuality-related research. We also present recommendations for speech-language pathologists to begin incorporating sexuality-related topics in their clinical practice. Conclusions & Implications: The effects of communication impairments on sexuality are insufficiently researched. The literature that does exist points to substantial impacts. This area of research deserves more concerted attention so that clinicians may have guidance and support in addressing the issue with their clients.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1464119
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1464119
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/1460-6984.70023
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 27
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Speech Impairments
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sexuality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intimacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication Disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Speech Language Pathology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Quality of Life
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Impact of Acquired Communication Impairments on Sexuality and Intimacy: A Scoping Review
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Laura Lin Wolford
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Vanessa Arratia
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Nicholas Behn
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Emma Power
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 03
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1368-2822
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1460-6984
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 60
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders
              Type: main
ResultId 1