Attribution patterns in men with sexual problems: analysis and implications for treatment

ABSTRACT

Previous research indicates that individuals with sexual problems are more likely to attribute negative sexual experiences to themselves, in contrast with sexually functional individuals who attribute negative experiences to external factors such as their partner, circumstance, or relationship. Both men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and men with premature ejaculation (PE) show such patterns, as demonstrated through separate studies. In this analysis of 1249 men responding to an online survey posted on the Internet, we undertook a head-to-head comparison of men with ED and PE problems to determine whether their attribution patterns, though clearly different from functional men, were also different from one another. We also compared men with combined PE and ED to men with just PE to ascertain whether patterns of self-blame in these men were greater. Results indicate that men with PE accepted a higher level of self-blame than men with ED for negative sexual experiences. Men with both PE and ED exhibited slightly stronger attribution patterns of self-blame. These results point out similarities and differences in attribution styles across men with various sexual problems, indicate that men with sexual problems may be vulnerable to self-fulfilling prophecies regarding any negative sexual experience, and suggest focal points for therapeutic strategies in helping such men to overcome negative self-perceptions.

KEYWORDS:

• Premature ejaculation
• erectile dysfunction
• attribution
• self-efficacy
• sexual dysfunction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The term “symptoms” is used initially because participants did not undergo a clinical diagnosis yet met some or all of the criteria for a premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction diagnosis. Throughout subsequent sections of the paper, we refer to them simply as the PE, ED, or PE/ED groups.

2. This phrase represents language extracted from the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5 (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013) description of premature ejaculation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David L. Rowland

David Rowland is professor of psychology at Valparaiso University, USA. He has published numerous research papers and book chapters, and has authored two books related to sexuality. His research attempts to delineate mind-body relationships within the field sexual dysfunction.