Growing Up with a Disability: Patterns in Sexual Health Knowledge and Experiences in Early Adulthood

People with disabilities experience disparities in sexual well-being. This study evaluated growing up with a visible physical disability and patterns in sexual health knowledge and experiences. Cross-sectional surveys were completed by adults aged 18 to 40, including 52 participants with, and 52 without disabilities. Sexual knowledge was similar between groups, but disabled participants reported fewer partnered experiences and lifetime sexual partners than nondisabled individuals (median 1.5 vs 4; IQR 0–5.25 vs 1–9.25; p = 0.027). Individuals with disabilities experienced more mistreatment, including sexual harassment (40% vs. 27%, NS) and disability-based exploitation (33% vs 12%). Findings suggest that sexual well-being disparities among people with disabilities may arise less from knowledge deficits, but rather from differences in interpersonal experiences.