Sexual dysfunctions and metacognitive beliefs: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review

Abstract

Sexual dysfunctions could lead individuals to experience severe impairments in health and everyday life; metacognition could play an important role in the development of sexual dysfunctions. This study aimed to synthesize evidence from studies investigating the associations between sexual dysfunctions and metacognitive beliefs. According to the PRISMA statement, literature analysis is conducted on PubMed, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and Google Scholar. 837 participants from six studies were included; five articles were cross-sectional studies, and one was a randomized clinical trial. Individuals with sexual dysfunction adopt more metacognitive beliefs compared to the general population. The association between sexual dysfunctions and metacognitions did not show gender differences. Men with erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation show high negative metacognitive beliefs, cognitive self-consciousness, and need to control thoughts. Women with sexual dysfunctions show higher scores in negative metacognitive beliefs, cognitive self-consciousness, and need to control thoughts than the general population; the results also point out that metacognitive beliefs could have a greater influence on sexual dysfunctions than other variables such as painful symptoms. The present study has succeeded in highlighting metacognitive beliefs’ role in sexual dysfunctions and the potential benefits of MCT in dealing with these conditions.

LAY SUMMARY

The objective of this manuscript was to conduct a systematic review of research papers that connect metacognition and sexual dysfunction. The articles’ primary objectives focus on the correlation between the two variables and the finding that people who experience sexual dysfunction report having more meta-beliefs. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• Metacognition
• metacognitive beliefs
• female sexual dysfunction
• male sexual dysfunction

Acknowledgments

This research has received no external funding.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no relevant financial or non-financial competing interests to report.

Compliance with ethics guidelines

This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not involve any new studies of human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carlotta Olivari

Carlotta Olivari, Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Psychology 2016 at Sigmund Freud Private University, Milano; Master of Science (MSc.) in Psychology in 2018 at Sigmund Freud Privat University – Milano; postgraduate course in sexology in 2019 at “Società Italiana di Sessuologia ed Educazione Sessuale”; Ph.D. with scholarship since 2020 at Sigmund Freud University – Vienna; co-lecturer at Sigmund Freud Private University – Milano since 2020; Clinical Psychologist since 2021.

Marco Di Cugno

Marco Di Cugno, Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Psychology in 2016 at Sigmund Freud Private University, Milano; Master of Science (MSc.) in Psychology in 2018 at Sigmund Freud Privat University – Milano; Clinical Psychologist since 2020.

Gabriele Caselli

Gabriele Caselli, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at London South Bank University in 2013; lecturer at University of Pavia from 2009 to 2015; Visiting Research Fellow at Department of Psychology of London South Bank University from 2014 to 2019; Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapist and clinical and scientific advisor of PsicoLogica (Modena) since 2009; researcher and lecturer of the post-graduate schools in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy "Studi Cognitivi", “Psicoterapia Cognitiva e Ricerca” and “Scuola Cognitiva Firenze” since 2009; lecturer at Sigmund Freud University, Milan and Vienna since 2014; director of the post-graduate school of Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy “Studi Cognitivi” in Genova since 2018; deputy director of the Department of Psychology at Sigmund Freud University since 2018.