Relationship Between Adult Separation Anxiety and Attachment Styles and Vaginismus

Abstract

BackgroundVaginismus has an unknown etiology, is comorbid with anxiety, and is the most common sexual dysfunction in sexual dysfunction outpatient clinics in Turkey. AimThis study aimed to determine the frequency of adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) and styles of attachment in patients with vaginismus and to investigate its relationship with female sexual dysfunction. MethodsSixty women with vaginismus and 60 healthy controls were compared using the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27). OutcomesWe report the results of the questionnaires with their implication on the etiology of vaginismus. ResultsSeparation anxiety and fearful and dismissive avoidance attachment style in the vaginismus group were significantly higher than in the control group. Both total FSFI scores and arousal, pain, and satisfaction subscale scores were higher in the control group. Clinical ImplicationsASAD should be evaluated and addressed separately, when necessary, in the treatment of vaginismus. Strengths & LimitationsThe relationship between ASAD and vaginismus has been shown for the first time. Study limitations included the assessment of factors influencing the study results based on self-reporting and possible recall bias. ConclusionAttachment and comorbidity research in vaginismus needs to shift from just reporting disturbances, to identify various clinical variables, such as the severity of the vaginismus, response to therapy, and differences in therapeutic modalities, in terms of outcome. Unlubilgin E, Tetik S, Aksoy I, et al. Relationship Between Adult Separation Anxiety and Attachment Styles and Vaginismus. J Sex Med 2021;18:1752–1758.