Evaluating the Relationship Between Sexuality, Psychological Flexibility, and Neurodivergence

The current dissertation's purpose was to examine behavior analysts' competency to provide services to individuals who engage in sexual behavior, their attitudes towards the sexuality of neurodivergent individuals, and better understand the impact of psychological flexibility on those variables. Study one examined the relationship between self-reported competency of behavior analysts to provide services to neurodivergent individuals and attitudes towards the sexuality of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, acceptance of their sexuality, and psychological flexibility. Study two examined the utility of two variations of an online, self-paced sexuality and sexual behavior training program and whether they improved the self-reported competency of behavior analysts to work with neurodivergent individuals who engage in sexual behavior; one which was a standard training and the second was the standard training that included mindfulness and acceptance-based activities. The results of study one found that behavior analysts' attitudes to the sexuality of neurodivergent individuals were statistically significantly associated with their score on the competency assessment (p <.001, R2 = 0.248). The results of study two found that participants who completed either of the sexuality and sexual behavior trainings demonstrated significant improvements on the competency assessment compared to participants who were in the wait-list control group (F (1, 58) = 16.748, p < .001). However, only participants who completed the standard training demonstrated a significant increase in attitudes to the sexuality of neurodivergent individuals from pre- to post-test (t (16) = 4.742, p = 0.0002). Together, the current studies sought to understand better how the field of behavior analysis can be better prepared to promote the sexual empowerment and autonomy of neurodivergent individuals.