Sexual dysfunction among HIV-positive gay males

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the psychosexual characteristics of 88 HIV-positive gay males ranging in age from 23 to 62 (M = 35.1). Subjects were recruited through hospitals, private clinics and social networking. An anonymous self-report measure of psychosexual tendencies and sexual dysfunction was used with the following result: 50 (56.8%) were classified as sexually dysfunctional, of whom 25 (28.4%) subjectively felt they had a problem. Statistical analysis revealed that the sexually dysfunctional males experience more fear of sexual relations, more sexual depression, and that they are less sexually assertive, have a lower degree of positive esteem about their sexuality compared to the non-dysfunctional and the non-problematic homosexual males. Fear of sexuality was identified as the principal predictor of sexual dysfunction. Clinical implications are discussed.