The Relationship Between Postconcussion Symptoms and Sexual Quality of Life in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Sexual quality of life involves the impact of sexual dysfunction on general quality of life. Postconcussion symptoms are frequent after traumatic brain injury (TBI) but their relationship with sexual quality of life remains unexplored. The current study aimed to: (a) compare sexual quality of life in a sample of individuals with TBI and healthy controls; and (b) explore the relationship between sexual quality of life and postconcussion symptoms in individuals with TBI. Forty-one individuals with TBI and 41 healthy controls, comparable in age, gender, years of education, work and relationship status, and annual income. Sexual quality of life was assessed with the self-report Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire, and postconcussion symptoms with the Post-concussion Symptom Scale. Compared to healthy controls, individuals with TBI showed significantly lower sexual quality of life. In individuals with TBI, diminished sexual quality of life was significantly associated with self-reported postconcussion symptoms; the affective factor of the Post-concussion Symptom Scale provided the most unique contribution to sexual quality of life. Affective postconcussion symptoms could partially explain the impact of TBI on sexual quality of life. Ongoing screening and treatment of postconcussion symptoms, in particular affective symptoms, may lead to a secondary remediation/prevention of sexual difficulties in individuals with TBI.