Socialization patterns and sexual problems of the institutionalized chronically ill and physically disabled.

A post hoc survey of spontaneous remarks and actions bearing on social and sexual adjustment was done on 155 long-term physically disabled patients in a chronic-care hospital. Thirty-five percent were found to be involved in an active dyadic relationship; the great majority of these were between unmarried patients within the hospital. The remaining 65% were socially unattached. A large proportion of both socially attached and socially unattached patients acknowledged achieving some sort of sexual outlet. The importance of opportunity for sexual activity is discussed as it relates to traditional methods for dealing with the problems of personal confidence and physical competence of the physically disabled.