PLISSIT Model Research Articles

The role of sexual rehabilitation in the treatment of patients with cancer.

The goal of sexual rehabilitation is to restore the patient's ability to engage in intimate interpersonal relationships. It incorporates the restoration of both self-esteem and bodily function. When appropriate and desired, sexual rehabilitation includes restoring the physical ability to engage in sexual activity. Rehabilitation begins at diagnosis and continues throughout therapy. It addresses the specific desires of each patient and incorporates the contributions of every member of a health care team. An adaptation of Annon's PLISSIT model is appropriate to this multidisciplinary, holistic approach. All patients need permission (P) and limited information (LI); frequently, dispelling myths and eliminating ignorance about therapy are enough to enable patients to resume sexual intimacy. Specific suggestions (SS) help patients whose irradiation, hormone therapy, or radical surgery have resulted in physiologic or anatomic alteration to the genitals or the mechanisms of sexual response. Highly skilled professionals provide intensive therapy (IT), which may include surgical reconstruction, implantation of prosthetic devices, or intensive marital and sexual counseling.

A sexual health model for nursing intervention.

This article describes and illustrates a conceptual model for nurses who wish to assist clients in attaining or maintaining sexual health. The Sexual Health Model for Nursing Intervention provides form and direction for nurses at all levels when they address client concerns or problems related to sexual health. Interactions between the nurse and the client are the foundation of all the components in this model. The four steps of the nursing process encompass all the other processes and approaches contained within the model. The communication, therapeutic, and teaching processes define the role and skills of the nurse. The adaptation of the PLISSIT model, contained within the processes, is a hierarchy of interventions that guide the nurse's activities. The use of the model can assist nurses in making an important contribution to client sexual health.

Integrating human sexuality into rehabilitation practice

Integration of attention to sexual concerns into social service practice is presently needed. Most counselors need some special training for dealing with their own discomfort in regard to sexual matters as well as basic sex education. A setting in which the patient feels comfortable in expressing sexual concerns in his/her own language is important. Parameters for helping the rehabilitation counselor evaluate the relative sexual health of the patient and assist the patient in shaping goals for sexual health are discussed. The role of the professional as educator, mobilizer, broker, advocate, and counselor in relation to the sexual health concept is discussed. The PLISSIT model as a mode for integrating the various roles is explored.

The PLISSIT Model: A Proposed Conceptual Scheme for the Behavioral Treatment of Sexual Problems

(1976). The PLISSIT Model: A Proposed Conceptual Scheme for the Behavioral Treatment of Sexual Problems. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 1-15.