Percepciones de la vivencia erótica en estudiantes con discapacidad de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, 2022-2023

Abstract

There is limited research within the Ecuadorian context that delves into the needs and realities concerning the experience of sexuality in people with disabilities. Because of this, this research aims to identify general perceptions about the erotic experience in students with disabilities at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador in the city of Quito during the 2023 period. To address this objective, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted, involving semi-structured interviews with 7 participants from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito campus, who had different types of disabilities. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using ATLAS.TI software, and the results highlighted that most of the interviewees had not engaged in genital encounters, many faced challenges in establishing romantic relationships, had limited capacity for fantasy, exhibited aversion to their own physical appearance and some have experienced sexual harassment. It is concluded that the erotic experience of the interviewed individuals requires cognitive strengthening to encourage fantasies, a better understanding of their own bodies to identify pleasurable zones, and the need to maintain spaces for sexual education where people with and without disabilities and their families can understand the importance of erotic knowledge, self-esteem enhancement and prevention of sexual harassment are fundamental aspects of their own sexual living as well as with the others.