Research Article

Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers' Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development

Volume: 54 Number: 3 December 31, 2025
TR EN

Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers' Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development

Abstract

In our study, we aimed to examine the sexual development and self-perceptions of typically developing children (TDC) and children with mild intellectual disabilities (MID) in the context of mothers' perspectives on sexual identity development. In this study, which was designed according to the survey model, 92 TDC and 81 MID children and their mothers were included in the study group, selected by purposive sampling method. While the mothers completed the Personal Information Form and the Parent Attitude Scale, the researchers applied the Demoulin Self-Perception Scale for Children and the Selçuk Sexual Development Scale. The findings showed that the self-perception and sexual development levels of MID children were significantly different from TDC and there was a positive relationship between sexual development and self-perception. In addition, it was found that mothers' attitudes towards sexual identity development did not show a significant trend. However, gender behavior, sexual identity, and attitudes together accounted for approximately 59% of the variance in children's self-perception. The findings were discussed in the context of the existing literature, emphasizing the need to support children's development regardless of special needs (SN) conditions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

There is no supporting organisation.

Ethical Statement

For the measurement tools to be used in the study, approval was first obtained from the relevant researchers. Then, the ethics committee approval dated 22/04/2021 and numbered 20802 was obtained from Marmara University Institute of Educational Sciences Ethics Committee. After the necessary approvals for data collection were obtained from Mersin Provincial Directorate of National Education, the process was initiated.

Thanks

We would like to sincerely and warmly thank all participants for their voluntary participation.

References

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  5. Anderson, S. (2015). Sex education programs focused on “protection” and “prevention” with little attention given to supporting people to develop healthy, positive sexual relationships. Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2, 98–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2015.1021740
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Early Childhood Education, Basic Training (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

May 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 23, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 54 Number: 3

APA
Güldağ, Ö. (2025). Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 54(3), 1341-1367. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1688616
AMA
1.Güldağ Ö. Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2025;54(3):1341-1367. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1688616
Chicago
Güldağ, Öznur. 2025. “Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children With Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Identity Development”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 54 (3): 1341-67. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1688616.
EndNote
Güldağ Ö (December 1, 2025) Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 54 3 1341–1367.
IEEE
[1]Ö. Güldağ, “Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 1341–1367, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.14812/cuefd.1688616.
ISNAD
Güldağ, Öznur. “Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children With Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Identity Development”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 54/3 (December 1, 2025): 1341-1367. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1688616.
JAMA
1.Güldağ Ö. Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2025;54:1341–1367.
MLA
Güldağ, Öznur. “Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children With Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Identity Development”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 54, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 1341-67, doi:10.14812/cuefd.1688616.
Vancouver
1.Öznur Güldağ. Investigating Sexual Development and Self-Perceptions of Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities and Typically Developing Children in the Scope of Mothers’ Attitudes toward Sexual Identity Development. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;54(3):1341-67. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1688616

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