In low-income countries where gender bias is prevalent, the gender of a child with
intellectual disability may impair marital intimacy. This study explores that
effect, together with gender differences in parental perceptions of marital
intimacy. Twenty-three pairs of parents of children with intellectual disability
were divided into two groups according to child gender. The Intimate Bond Measure
was used to study the parents’ relationship. Intimacy between parents of
girls with intellectual disability was significantly impaired compared with parents
of boys with intellectual disability. Intimacy between parents continued to be
impaired significantly after controlling for the confounding effect of challenging
behaviours. Within the dyads, mothers and fathers did not significantly differ in
perceived intimacy. This highlights the importance of assessing marital intimacy
among parents of girls with intellectual disability, since impaired marital intimacy
may be managed effectively with psychological interventions.
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