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Journal of Adolescence
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/adolescence
Dating and romantic relationships of adolescents with intellectual
and developmental disabilities
Marina Heifetz
a,∗
, Johanna Lake
a
, Jonathan Weiss
a
, Barry Isaacs
b
, Jennifer Connolly
a
a
York University, 4700, Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada
b
Surrey Place Centre, 2 Surrey Pl, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C2, Canada
ARTICLE INFO
Keywords:
Developmental disabilities
Intellectual disability
Adolescence
Romantic relationships
Romantic conceptualizations
Qualitative research
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Adolescents with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are at high
risk for sexual exploitation, yet there is a paucity of research on their romantic relationships. The
objectives of this study were to examine the romantic understanding and experiences of youth
with IDD.
Methods: Thirty-one adolescents (16–19 years; 21 males and 10 females) with IDD (12 partici-
pants with additional diagnosis of ASD) were recruited from a community health clinic.
Individual interviews and questionnaires assessed cross-sectionally these youths’: (1) romantic
conceptualizations; (2) romantic awareness (knowledge of: romantic relationships, sexual be-
haviours, initiating relationships); (3) involvement; (4) social competence; and (5) expectations
for autonomy. Parent perspectives on these topics were also captured through questionnaires.
Results: While 85% reported an immediate desire for a romantic relationship, only 35% were
currently in a relationship. Qualitative findings indicated that 14% of youth were unable to
differentiate between a romantic relationship and a friendship. Among those who could make
this distinction, romantic relationships were conceptualized as serious, commitment for life, and
primarily for companionship. Adolescents with ASD, compared to those without ASD, showed
weaker social competence and lower romantic awareness. Parents were adolescents’primary
source of information about relationships. Finally, parents and adolescents differed in their
perception of the age at which they were ready to date.
Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of the romantic experiences of youth
with IDD. Prevention efforts focused on education may be important to help ensure these youth
develop safe and healthy relationships.
1. Introduction
Research on romantic development of typically developing adolescents is an established and important area for socio-emotional
development and mental health, but there remains a substantial gap in the field of romantic relationships among adolescents with
intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Adolescents with IDD demonstrate limited knowledge of sex and sexual risks
(Baines, Emerson, Robertson, & Hatton, 2018;Brown-Lavoie, Viecili, & Weiss, 2014;Cheng & Udry, 2005;Hannah & Stagg, 2016),
and those with an additional Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis may also exhibit poor social competence (i.e., inferring
social information; Solish, Perry, & Minnes, 2010), which may further impact their romantic development (Dewinter, Van Parys,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.12.011
Received 2 May 2019; Received in revised form 11 November 2019; Accepted 19 December 2019
*
Corresponding author. Boomerang Health 9401 Jane Street, Suite 211, Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 4H7, Canada.
E-mail address: marinaheifetz@gmail.com (M. Heifetz).
Journal of Adolescence 79 (2020) 39–48Available online 31 December 20190140-1971/ © 2019 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.T