Descriptive study: Affective-sexual profile of men and women with severe mental disorders

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction The affective-sexual relationships of people with severe mental disorders is a topic rarely found in the literature. Objective Present comparative data on affective-sexual lived experiences of men and women diagnosed with major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Methods Cross-sectional study, through interviews, with 70 people diagnosed with severe mental disorder (major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), enrolled in a psychiatric institute in São Paulo-SP/ Brazil. All were rated with some items from two questionnaires: “Socioeconomic” and “Relationship inventory of family, affective and sexual life”. All items were analyzed and compared according to gender. Results The genders groups are not homogeneous regarding diagnosis, age, marital status, professional status, number of children and living with. Men were younger (M = 37; SD = 4.66), singles (N = 32; 89%), prevalence of schizophrenia (N = 30; SD = 83,5%), unemployed (N = 23; 64%), childless and living with family members (N = 34; 94,5%). Older women (M = 48; 4.66), with more diagnostic diversity (N = 9; 26,5% major depression, N = 13; 38% schizophrenia and N = 12; 35,5% bipolar disorder), marital status (N = 8; 24% married, N = 7; 21% separate and N = 18; 53% singles), professional situation (N = 14; 41% retired and N = 19; 56% unemployed), with a child and living with family member (N = 20; 59%) or partners (N = 8; 23,5%) or alone (N = 6; 17,5%). Both genders are similar for race, sexual orientation, education and family income (mostly white, heterosexual, incomplete high school, catholic, and average family income (N= 3.750 reais; SD = 1451.129). Men had earlier onset of sexual life and with greater diversity among the types of partners in the first experience and a greater practice and current frequency of masturbation. Women had a later on sexual life and with boyfriends; and lesser practice and frequency of masturbation. In the items: if you ever dated, how long it lasted and the degree of intimacy, men and women showed similarities regarding having already had a dating relationship during life, with sexual relations and lasting up to 1 month; there were similarities in terms of majority never having experienced an unsuccessful relationship, not currently having partners and not having had any sexual dysfunction. P value <0.05 were considered statistical significant. Conclusions Women haven greater experiences with affective and sexual relationships than men, with dating, marriage, sexual relations and children. The women are more independent when it comes to leaving their parents' homes and living alone or with partners. The fact that most men are diagnosed with schizophrenia tends to compromise their functional abilities more than other diagnoses, justifying the better performance in women's affective-sexual relationships. It study contributes with others focused on the neglect of sexual life and risky sexual behavior among men and women with severe mental disorders, in order to encourage care for the promotion of sexual health and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.