Pages 246-247 in N. Murphy and A. Parkinson, eds. Circumpolar Health 2012: Circumpolar Health Comes Full Circle. Proceedings of the 15th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, August 5-10, 2012. International Journal of Circumpolar Health 2013;72 (Suppl 1):246-247
Center for Human Development, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, USA
Source
Pages 246-247 in N. Murphy and A. Parkinson, eds. Circumpolar Health 2012: Circumpolar Health Comes Full Circle. Proceedings of the 15th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, August 5-10, 2012. International Journal of Circumpolar Health 2013;72 (Suppl 1):246-247
Meaningful relationships are important in the lives of all people, including adults with developmental disabilities. In a recent study exploring the relationships of adults with developmental disabilities, 85% of the respondents report that they were in or had been in a romantic relationship since graduating high school. Of those who had been or were in relationships, 60% had experienced interpersonal violence. It is well documented that
persons with disabilities are victims of interpersonal violence at higher rates than peers without disabilities. The study concluded that adults with developmental disabilities need more opportunities to develop healthy, meaningful relationships.