The impact of individual and relationship factors on sexual dysfunction among males and females

Abstract

Few studies have evaluated the relative contribution of childhood, adolescent and current individual factors on sexual dysfunction. The present study was concerned with an exploration of how these factors, as well as relationship factors have an impact on sexual dysfunction. Participants were sexually functional males and females from the general population (43 males, 102 females) and clients attending a university clinic for the treatment of sexual dysfunction (1 14 males, 84 females). Results demonstrated that there were no dafferences between the sexually functional males and any group of sexually dysfunctional males (lack of desire, erectile problems, premature ejaculation) in their reporting of problems in childhood or adolescence. There were also no differences between the sexually functional females, and any group of sexually dysfunctional females (lack of desire, lack of arousal, inorgasmia) in their reporting of problems during childhood. However, all groups of dysfunctional females were more likely than the functional females to report negative attitudes towards coitus during adolescence and experiencing sexual abuse during adolescence. All groups of dysfunctional respondents were more likely than the functional group to report current negative attitudes towards sex. All groups of dysfunctional females were also more likely to experience deficits in both the sexual and non-sexual aspects of their current relationship, most particularly in relationship quality and range of sexual experiences. These findings were not as strong for dysfunctional males, with the major differences between the functional and dysfunctional groups of males being in the frequency of arguments. Performance anxiety was associated with sexual dysfunctions among both females and males. These results are discussed in terms of the range of factors which are associated with sexual dysfunction and the implications of the findings for therapeutic intervention.