Maintenance Of Sexual Dysfunction Research Articles

Women’s Safety Behaviors before and during Sexual Activity: Psychometric Properties of Its Self-Report Questionnaire in German Women

Sexual safety behaviors (SSB) may constitute a relevant factor for the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunctions. The present study aims to improve the understanding of SSB in women. A total of N = 923 women completed an online survey consisting of the Questionnaire on Behaviors Before and During Sexual Activities, a measure of SSB, and a set of other questionnaires that assessed sexual dysfunctions, anxiety, depression, and other clinically relevant variables. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the QBSA revealed a robust three-factor solution with 1) cognitive and behavioral avoidance, 2) use of lubricants, and 3) thought and body control. While some SSB were generally common in women, others discriminated well between women with sexual dysfunctions, women with sexual problems, and women without impairment. SSB was significantly negatively associated with women’s level of sexual functioning and positively with repetitive and negative thought processes, depression, and anxiety. Overall, the concept of SSB can be reliably measured and SSBs correlate meaningfully with variables measuring women’s mental health. We argue that the concept of SSB should be further developed as it can enrich present sexual therapeutic treatment approaches, especially in the context of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Automatic attention to sexual stimuli: exploring the role of neuroticism and sexual excitation/inhibition through event-related potentials.

Previous findings have shown that neuroticism is a higher-order vulnerability factor in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunctions and can have an impact on the attentional processing of sexual stimuli; however, the influence of psychosexual dimensions on the early automatic phases of such cognitive processes has not been established yet. To examine the mediating role of sexual inhibition/excitation propensity in the relationship between neuroticism and automatic attention to visual erotica and to identify the neuroelectric correlates of such a process. We analyzed the answers provided by 58 individuals on the Neuroticism subscale of the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised and the Sexual Inhibition/Excitation Scales. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during a modified oddball paradigm containing romantic and sexually explicit pictures. Parallel mediations were performed to simultaneously test the mediating role of sexual inhibition/excitation in the relationship between neuroticism and each ERP. Three early attention ERP components (P1, P2, and N2) were assessed. Findings revealed an indirect effect of neuroticism on automatic attention, via sexual inhibition due to threat of performance failure (SIS1), for romantic and sexually explicit stimuli. This effect was significant only for component N2, which showed increased amplitudes and earlier latencies in participants with high SIS1. Sexual stimuli, due to their emotional valence and arousal potential, might be perceived as virtually threatening by individuals with neuroticism, who may benefit from strategies that decrease hyperarousal and sympathetic activation. This was one of the first studies to analyze neuroelectric activity associated with automatic attention toward sexual stimuli in relation to personality and sexual excitation/inhibition propensity. Nevertheless, the limited number of participants demands caution in generalizing the results. These results provide a better understanding of the relationship between personality and sexual cognition and open new avenues of research in relation to other automatic cognitive phenomena related to human sexual behavior.

Mindfulness and Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Research Synthesis

Throughout the previous decade, research exploring the associations between mindfulness and sexual dysfunction has grown exponentially. Researchers have highlighted inverse associations between mindfulness and various sexual dysfunctions, including erectile dysfunction, hypersexuality, and sexual distress, as well as positive associations between mindfulness and sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and overall sexual functioning. This study sought to describe the state of extant literature exploring the association between mindfulness and sexual dysfunction, identify areas for future study within this area of research, and inform clinical practice when working with those experiencing sexual dysfunction. A systematic search of peer-reviewed journal articles revealed a final sample of 18 articles. After collecting data from all included articles, results support the inverse association between mindfulness and various sexual dysfunctions. Additionally, results highlight that current mindfulness and sexual dysfunction literature focuses more on the individual’s experience and does not fully consider how the couple system is often impacted by, and may contribute to, the maintenance of sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, results demonstrate the importance of including LGBTQ + populations in future research, as extant literature in this area has focused primarily on the heterosexual experience.

Funkcje seksualne a samoocena u osób z depresją

Introduction: Human sexuality is an essential element of every individual’s life, and sexual health is one of human rights. Sexual disorders affect different population groups, but people with depression are particularly at risk, which is becoming an increasingly serious social and medical problem. Both the disease and associated side effects of pharmacological treatment can cause sexual problems and sexual dysfunctions can contribute to the development of depression. Self-esteem, which is understated in people with depression, contributes to the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunctions. Material and methods: There were 72 respondents included in the research. The research group consisted of 32 respondents with depressive episode, the control group comprised 40 without psychiatric disorders. Research questionnaires have been used: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), polish version of the Mell-Krat Scale, the Questionnaire of Sexuality (KWS), The Questionnaire of Sexual Disorders (KZM), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), polish version of the Adjective Check List (ACL), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES). Results and conclusion: The results showed a significantly lower level of self-esteem in people diagnosed with depressive episode and inferior sexual functioning, significantly in terms of sexual satisfaction. The relationship between the level of self-esteem and sexual satisfaction was demonstrated.

ASPECTOS PSICOLÓGICOS DAS DISFUNÇÕES SEXUAIS

A saúde sexual é cada vez mais importante quando pensamos na longevidade das relações afetivas,fazendo parte da saúde global dos indivíduos e em sua sensação de bem-estar. Contudo, as disfunçõessexuais têm se feito muito presentes tanto em homens quanto em mulheres. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a sexologia clínica em seu aspecto histórico para contextualizar as disfunções sexuais para conhecer as principais disfunções masculinas e femininas e compreender os aspectos psicológicos que produzem e/ou mantém as disfunções sexuais. O referencial teórico adotado engloba principalmente as produções científicas dos campos da saúde e da educação, com foco nas pesquisas psicológicas. Os principais autores utilizados nesta pesquisa foram: Abdo (2004, 2006); Abdo e Fleury (2006); Alves (2013); Béjin (1987); Cavalcanti, Serrano e Lopes (2005); Carvalheira e Allen-Gomes (2002); Figueiró (1998); Fonseca, Soares e Vaz (2001); Foucault (2006); Giami (2019); Hall e Instituto Pedagógico de Minas Gerais (2019); Irvine(2005); Lata e outros (2008); Nobre (2005, 2010); Organização Mundial da Saúde (1993); Russo e outros(2009, 2011); Russo (2012); Weeks (2002). Os resultados obtidos com esse levantamento acerca do assuntopermitiram concluir que são muitas e variadas as influências psicológicas na produção e/ou manutençãodas disfunções sexuais, de modo que a atuação do psicólogo junto a esses pacientes se faz imprescindível.Conclui-se, assim, que a psicoterapia focada na sexologia é um recurso fundamental para a promoção dasaúde dos indivíduos.

Personality Traits, Sexual Problems, and Sexual Orientation: An Empirical Study

Personality traits, namely neuroticism, have been suggested as vulnerability factors for the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction in heterosexual samples. However, no evidence was found regarding homosexual samples. This study aimed to analyze the differences on personality traits between heterosexual and homosexual men and women with and without sexual problems. Participants were 285 individuals (142 men, 143 women) who completed a web-based survey. Participants answered the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Brief Symptomatology Inventory, and questions regarding sexual problems. The groups of men and women with and without sexual problems were matched for sociodemographic variables. A 2 (Group) × 2 (Sexual Orientation) multivariate analysis of covariance was conducted separately for each gender. Results indicated a significant main effect for group and for sexual orientation in male and female samples. Men with sexual problems scored higher on neuroticism, whereas women with sexual problems scored higher on neuroticism and lower on extraversion when compared with healthy controls, regardless of sexual orientation. In addition, gay men scored higher on neuroticism and lesbian women scored higher on conscientiousness compared with the heterosexual groups. The present findings emphasize the central role of neuroticism on sexual problems in both men and women regardless of sexual orientation.

Cognitive factors in women hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Interest. — Hypoactive desire disorder is a widespread difficulty among women. The concept of sexual desire and its dysfunctions are difficult to define because they involve an important subjective dimension. Due to this subjective component, psychological factors, and in particular cognitive dimensions, are hypothesized to play an important role in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunctions. The processes at hand seem complex and conflicting positions exist. They will be reviewed with the aim to clarify the different propositions related to the role of cognitive processes in play in women sexual dysfunctions, especially hypoactive sexual desire. Future targets of therapeutic interventions will accordingly be proposed. Method. — A review of the literature about cognitive factors in women sexual dysfunctions and hypoactive desire disorder will be presented. This review has been completed mostly from PsycInfo and Medline research engines, focusing on studies from last 1970s to 2011. Most of the inventoried researches used the DSM-IV-TR (2000) criteria’s to establish the diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Empirical studies reported used principally clinical and control samples. The main keywords were: sexual desire, sexuality, cognitive, beliefs and thoughts. Results. — In general female population, prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire ranges from 24 to 43%. Causal factors of this problematic could be biological, environmental or psychological. Among psychological factors, literature shows that negative cognitions play an important function in women sexual dysfunctions. These cognitive factors are composed of three main levels that allow information processing in sexuality and also in all domains of life. Clinicians and researchers are agree to say that women suffering from sexual dysfunctions present more negative beliefs (e.g., older people can not have sexual intercourses, sexuality can only be used for reproduction) compared to women without sexual difficulties. These negative beliefs make them more vulnerable to critical self-schemas (e.g., I am incompetent) when they experience an unsuccessful sexual situation. These negative self-schemas, when activated, elicit negative automatic thoughts that prevent them from focusing on the erotic context. These negative cognitions can be linked to their own self-image (e.g., ‘‘I am not beautiful enough’’, ‘‘I must be performant’’), their partner (e.g., ‘‘He is disgusting me’’) or linked to the marital relationship (e.g., ‘‘He is going to leave me’’, ‘‘He doesn’t love me anymore’’). These negative thoughts trigger emotions like anxiety, shame or guilty. Moreover, these cognitions will have negative impact on sexual response. Indeed, the more negative thoughts will be present; the less will be the subjective sexual arousal. Consequently, during sexual intercourse, women will focus on this thoughts rather than sexual excitements (e.g., kissing, erotic context. . .). This distraction process is also present in men who concentrate on negative thoughts dealing with sexual performance. Conclusions. — Future empirical studies should investigate the content of sexual beliefs, sexual self-schemas, and automatic thoughts in functional and dysfunctional women. Most studies have used a questionnaire method to explore the cognitive process. This method does not allow to access unconscious processes. To make a reliable evaluation of these processes, methodologies using implicit tasks should be used. With regard to therapeutic interventions addressing psychological/cognitive factors, we propose that automatic negative thoughts, sexual schemas and beliefs should be targeted and worked on using a cognitive restructuring method. A second strategy in the therapeutic intervention could be to address cognitive distraction. A mindfulness training could be used as a tool to implement both: less focus on non erotic thoughts and more attention to sexual stimuli.

Psychoaffective Differences between Sexually Functional and Dysfunctional Men in Response to a Sexual Experience

Although anxiety and depression have long been implicated as factors in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction, other emotional states, more typical and within the range of normality, have received little attention. Aim. To investigate key differences in self-reported affective responses between sexually functional and dysfunctional males in the context of a sexual episode with their partner. Participants were men seeking treatment at a urology clinic for either a sexual problem (N=79) or another urological disorder (N=16). Individuals rated their affective state across 28 descriptors in response to a partnered sexual experience. The 28-item Psychoaffective Response Form consisted of items assessing positive and negative affect. Principle components analysis was used to identify major underlying positive and negative factors. Significant differences were found on nearly all 28 measures of affective response as well as five major underlying factors constructed from those measures. Dysfunctional men more strongly endorsed negative affects and functional men more strongly endorsed positive affects, even though all suffered from a significant urological health issue. No differences existed in sexual desire or the value ascribed to sexual intimacy, suggesting that negative feelings were specifically associated with inadequate sexual performance and not general health concerns. These findings reiterate the importance of addressing patients' emotional issues as part of any overall treatment strategy.

Disgust and Sexual Problems–Theoretical Conceptualization and Case Illustrations

There is increasing consensus that the present DSM IV-TR (2000) sexual disorders classification, of desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain is unsatisfactory. This differentiation seems neither adequate as a lead for understanding the mechanisms involved in these sexual problems nor appropriate as a guide for selecting the best available treatment options. In this article, we therefore argue that it is important to reconsider the cut-rent conceptualization of sexual dysfunction and to focus on underlying mechanisms when considering the various treatment options. Disrupted (or low) sexual arousal appears to be an active candidate underlying many of the sexual dysfunctions. Various mechanisms may eventually result in disruptions of sexual arousal. Although disgust seems an obvious candidate for being involved in disrupting arousal, it has been largely overlooked as a potentially relevant factor in the etiology and maintenance of sexual dysfunction. In this contribution, we argue that disgust has nevertheless a great promise for improving our understanding of sexual complaints and, as demonstrated by means of three case illustrations, it may potentially provide interesting clues also for treatment.

The role of performance anxiety in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction in men and women.

The current study evaluated the association between attitudes toward sex, stress, relationship quality, performance anxiety, and sexual dysfunction among 157 men (114 dysfunctional, 43 functional) and 186 women (84 dysfunctional, 102 functional). The results demonstrate that the main factors related to all types of sexual dysfunction among men were attitudes toward sex, conflict in their relationship, and performance anxiety. For women, the main factors related to all types of sexual dysfunction were attitudes toward sex, relationship quality, and performance anxiety. These results demonstrate the central role of performance anxiety in either the development or maintenance of sexual dysfunction among both men and women. Clearly, this is an area that has to be considered in any treatment program for sexual dysfunction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserve

Sexual dysfunction in single males: a perspective from India.

Various personal, familial, and socio-cultural factors play a crucial role in the development of sexuality and sexual practices. They often influence the occurrence and maintenance of sexual dysfunctions. Therapies with individuals with sexual dysfunctions often emphasize the involvement of both the partners. Issues related to single males, especially in the Indian context, have not been explored. The present study is a retrospective analysis of clinical case records of single males who reported sexual dysfunctions between the years 1990 to 2000. Thirty-eight clinical case records were analyzed for the demographic details, nature of the problems, and interventions provided with the aim of exploring the reported symptomatology, precipitating and maintaining factors, prevalent beliefs about the causation of sexual dysfunction, and the outcome of interventions. The role of cultural and psychosocial issues is discussed and the need for research in this area is emphasized.

Sexual dysfunction in the older adult: Assessment of psychosocial factors

Until recently, the area of psychological sexual dysfunction in the older adult has been relatively ignored. A functional analysis of sexual dysfunctions among older adults continues to be lacking. Numerous general and age-specific psychosocial factors are implicated in development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction among older adults. These factors are discussed in the context of our model of sexual dysfunction. Assessment strategies and questions are provided following from the Sexual Dysfunction Interview, a semi-structured interview.

Sexual Dysfunction in Gay Men—Diagnosis and Management

SummaryGay and heterosexual men have similar types of sexual dysfunction. It is only in the last two decades that the effect of sexual orientation on the onset and maintenance of sexual dysfunction has begun to be addressed In this review we discuss the differences in the aetiology, frequency and management of sexual dysfunction in gay men.

A Review of Anxiety and Sexual Arousal in Human Sexual Dysfunction

Clinical accounts have traditionally emphasized the importance of anxiety in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction (e.g., Masters & Johnson, 1970). However, a review of empirical research suggests anxiety, operationalized in a variety of ways, has no effect or facilitates genital responding in heterosexual men and women. The apparent contradiction between the clinical and empirical literature might be resolved if anxiety and sexual arousal are conceptualized as complex responses involving cognitive, behavioral, and physiological systems (Lang, 1968). Two models of sexual dysfunction (Barlow, 1986; and Palace & Gorzalka, 1990) are discussed in terms of this revised conceptualization, and directions for future research on the relationship between anxiety and sexual arousal are suggested.

The development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction: An explanation based on cognitive theory

Abstract The literature exploring the aetiology of sexual dysfunction is largely atheoretical. This situation stems primarily from the fact that most studies are clinical in their focus. The scientific literature on sexual function and dysfunction is fairly recent and, even here, most studies are confined to the examination of a single dysfunction or aspect of dysfunction. As a result there has been an insufficiently comprehensive database to allow for the development of a general model to explain the aetiology of sexual dysfunction. However, sufficient data have been gathered in the last few years to allow such a general model to be proposed. The model presented in this paper explains the development of sexual dysfunction by an individual in a relationship. The model would need to be slightly modified to explain sexual dysfunction in people not currently involved in relationships. Cognitive theory is used to explain the causes of sexual dysfunction in men and women. The aetiological factors contributing ...

Psychophysiological aspects of sexual dysfunction.

The argument is made that human sexual dysfunction is particularly well suited for investigation within the conceptual framework embraced by psychophysiology, due to the unique participation of both physiological and psychological components in the sexual response cycle. The literature relating psychophysiological research to the investigation of sexual dysfunction is reviewed, indicating promising applications in the diagnosis and treatment of some sexual dysfunctions as well as in the evaluation of sex therapy programs and the testing of medical theories about the etiology and maintenance of sexual dysfunctions.