Exploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisorKleintjes, Sharon
dc.contributor.authorPoswa, Nathi
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-25T07:06:51Z
dc.date.available2025-09-25T07:06:51Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-09-23T13:57:07Z
dc.description.abstractBackground: Limited studies have focused on the service providers' perspective regarding the need for and availability of services for people with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) (Stoffelen, Kok, Hospers, et al., 2013). The purpose for the study was to promote a better understanding of what service-providing organisations, policymakers, researchers, advocacy groups, and the government should focus on to advocate for and meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ people with IDD. Method: The study design was qualitative. A scoping review of the literature was undertaken, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 service providers who work with people who have IDD, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with both identities. Results: The results indicated that, for people with IDD who are LGBTQIA+, service availability and access is dependent, in part, on service providers' core beliefs rather than policy guidance. The results indicate that there is a need for sexuality education that focuses on different sexual orientations for people with IDD and their service providers. Study implications: More research is needed to explore the perceptions of transgender individuals with IDD regarding the availability of and access to gender affirming healthcare, as well as research to inform the development or adaptation of LGBTQIA+ inclusive educational programmes for service providers, users and their caregivers. Future research should include LGBTQIA+ service users' primary accounts, to inform decision-making for service developments and educational resource developments regarding all aspects of their sexual health and well-being.
dc.identifier.apacitationPoswa, N. (2025). <i>Exploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41908en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationPoswa, Nathi. <i>"Exploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41908en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationPoswa, N. 2025. Exploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41908en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Poswa, Nathi AB - Background: Limited studies have focused on the service providers' perspective regarding the need for and availability of services for people with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) (Stoffelen, Kok, Hospers, et al., 2013). The purpose for the study was to promote a better understanding of what service-providing organisations, policymakers, researchers, advocacy groups, and the government should focus on to advocate for and meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ people with IDD. Method: The study design was qualitative. A scoping review of the literature was undertaken, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 service providers who work with people who have IDD, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with both identities. Results: The results indicated that, for people with IDD who are LGBTQIA+, service availability and access is dependent, in part, on service providers' core beliefs rather than policy guidance. The results indicate that there is a need for sexuality education that focuses on different sexual orientations for people with IDD and their service providers. Study implications: More research is needed to explore the perceptions of transgender individuals with IDD regarding the availability of and access to gender affirming healthcare, as well as research to inform the development or adaptation of LGBTQIA+ inclusive educational programmes for service providers, users and their caregivers. Future research should include LGBTQIA+ service users' primary accounts, to inform decision-making for service developments and educational resource developments regarding all aspects of their sexual health and well-being. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Intellectual and developmental disability KW - LGBTQIA+ KW - Service needs KW - Service providers KW - Quality of life KW - Well-being LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Exploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa TI - Exploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41908 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/41908
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationPoswa N. Exploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41908en_ZA
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychiatry and Mental Health
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectIntellectual and developmental disability
dc.subjectLGBTQIA+
dc.subjectService needs
dc.subjectService providers
dc.subjectQuality of life
dc.subjectWell-being
dc.titleExploring the perceptions of service providers regarding the need for and availability of services that affect the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with intellectual and developmental disability in Cape Town, South Africa
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
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