Maria Manuela Peixoto

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Predictors of Sexual Problems in Portugal: A Population-Based Study With Women Aged 18 to 79 Years

Studies on epidemiology of female sexual problems consistently indicate high prevalence rates worldwide, suggesting that this clinical presentation should be considered as a public health concern. However, there are no published studies on prevalence of sexual problems in Portugal. The present study investigated the prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of female sexual problems in a Portuguese community sample. In addition, the authors assessed the role of sociodemographic predictors of womens sexual difficulties. The authors recruited 500 women using quota methods to resemble the Portuguese population according to its demographic characteristics. Participants answered to the Female Sexual Function Index and to a sociodemographic questionnaire. Findings indicated that 37.9% of the Portuguese women reported symptoms of sexual problems. Symptoms of lack of sexual desire was the most frequent sexual difficulty with 25.4% of the women reporting low desire most times or always, followed by symptoms of orgasmic (16.8%), sexual arousal (15.1%), and lubrication difficulties (12.9%), dyspareunia (9.8%), and vaginismus (6.6%). Results indicated that age was a significant predictor of female sexual problems. Results also indicated that symptoms of female sexual problems are a significant health concern in Portugal, suggesting that public policies should be developed to promote sexual health.

Prevalence of sexual problems and associated distress among lesbian and heterosexual women.

Prevalence studies on female sexual problems among heterosexual samples have been conducted extensively across different countries. However, relatively little is known regarding prevalence of sexual problems in lesbians. The present study aimed to assess and compare the frequency of self-perceived sexual problems and associated levels of distress in lesbians and heterosexual women. In all, 390 lesbians and 1,009 heterosexual women completed an online survey. The authors assessed the frequency of self-perceived sexual problems in lesbians and heterosexual women, over the past 6 months, as well as the associated levels of distress. Main results suggested that, after controlling for distress levels, sexual pain was the most frequent sexual problem reported by lesbians and heterosexual women. Also, when distress was considered a significant decrease on prevalence rates of sexual problems were found for both lesbians and heterosexual women. Current findings emphasize the role of associated levels of distress to self-perceived sexual problems in women, regardless of sexual orientation. In addition, results suggest that length of relationship play a major role on sexual problems. Overall, data indicated a relatively similar pattern in prevalence of sexual problems in lesbians and heterosexual women.

Automatic Thoughts During Sexual Activity, Distressing Sexual Symptoms, and Sexual Orientation: Findings from a Web Survey

Studies with heterosexual samples have supported the role of cognitions on sexual functioning in men and women. However, there is no research on the impact of automatic thoughts on sexual functioning in sexual-minority samples. Therefore, the current study aimed to analyze the differences in automatic thoughts during sexual activity between gay and heterosexual men, and lesbian and heterosexual women, with and without distressing sexual symptoms, in order to establish similarities and differences between samples. A web survey was completed by 156 men and 168 women. A group of men and women with distressing sexual symptoms (78 men and 84 women) and a group without distressing sexual symptoms (78 men and 84 women) equally distributed in terms of sexual orientation and matched for sociodemographic variables were constituted. Participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, a questionnaire about sexual symptoms, and an automatic thoughts measure. Main findings suggested that men and women with distressing sexual symptoms reported significantly more negative automatic thoughts and fewer erotic thoughts during sexual activity, regardless of sexual orientation. Overall, current findings were consistent with previous research with heterosexual samples, suggesting a similar pattern in heterosexual samples, and gay men and lesbian women samples.

Positive and Negative Affect During Sexual Activity: Differences Between Homosexual and Heterosexual Men and Women, With and Without Sexual Problems

Empirical research suggests that emotional response during sexual activity discriminates between sexually functional and dysfunctional heterosexual men and women, with clinics presenting lower positive and higher negative affect. However, there is no evidence about the role of emotions in gay men and lesbian women with sexual problems. The present study analyzed affective states during sexual activity in homosexual and heterosexual men and women, with and without sexual problems. Participants in this study were 156 men and 168 women. A 2 (group) × 2 (sexual orientation) multivariate analysis of variance was performed. Participants completed a web-survey assessing sexual functioning and the Positive Affect–Negative Affect Scale. Findings indicated a main effect of group, with groups with sexual problems reporting significantly more negative and lower positive affect compared with men and women without sexual problems, regardless of sexual orientation. However, findings have also shown an interaction effect in the male sample with gay men, contrary to heterosexual men, reporting similar affective responses regardless of having a sexual dysfunction or not. Overall, findings emphasize the role of affective responses during sexual activity in men and women with sexual problems, suggesting the importance of addressing emotional responses in assessment and treatment of sexual problems in individuals with different sexual orientations.

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.

Psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ): to assess the association between automatic thoughts, emotions and sexual response

ABSTRACT The role of cognitive-affective factors on male and female sexual functioning has been studied in North America and European countries and there is a lack of validated measures available for use elsewhere. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ) to the Iranian context. The SMQ is a validated measure aimed at assessing the association between thoughts, emotions and sexual response during sexual activity. A total of 388 participants (224 women and 164 men) completed the SMQ. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation and subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. Three factors were identified in the male version: Failure Anticipation Thoughts, Erection Concern Thoughts, and Lack of Erotic Thoughts. In the female version, six factors were identified: Failure and Disengagement Thoughts, Low Self-Body Image Thoughts, Sexual Abuse Thoughts, Sexual Passivity and Control, Lack of Erotic Thoughts, and Partners Lack of Affection. Also, a consistent pattern of correlations was found between the three subscales of the SMQ (thoughts, emotions, and sexual response) supporting the interactional character of the measure. This study has provided some preliminary evidence of the reliability and validity of the SMQ for use in Iranian populations.

Incompetence Schemas and Sexual Functioning in Heterosexual and Lesbian Women: The Mediator Role of Automatic Thoughts and Affective States During Sexual Activity

Incompetence schemas, automatic thoughts and affective states have been described as maintenance factors for female sexual dysfunction. However, studies have been conducted only with heterosexual samples. Current study aims to analyze the mediator role of automatic thoughts and state affect during sexual activity in the relationship between incompetence schemas and sexual functioning, in women with different sexual orientations. Participants completed the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schemas Activation in Sexual Context, the Sexual Modes Questionnaire—Automatic Thoughts Subscale, the Positive Affect—Negative Affect Scale, and the Female Sexual Functioning Index. Seven-hundred and seventy-five women (593 heterosexuals; 182 lesbian) completed an online survey assessing cognitive factors and sexual functioning. Structural equation modeling was performed for both samples, separately. For the heterosexual sample, failure thoughts, lack of erotic thoughts, positive affect, and negative affect were found to be mediators. For the lesbian sample, sexual abuse thoughts, failure thoughts, lack of erotic thoughts, and positive affect were found to be mediators. Overall, failure thoughts, lack of erotic thoughts and positive affect during sexual activity significantly mediated the relationship between incompetence schemas and female sexual functioning. The findings support the cognitive model and emphasize the core role of cognitive and affective factors in predicting sexual functioning in both lesbian and heterosexual women.

Determinants of Women's Sexual Dissatisfaction: Assessing a Cognitive-Emotional Model

INTRODUCTION Recent studies have demonstrated the role of sexual dysfunctional beliefs, negative automatic thoughts, and emotional responses in relation to sexual functioning. Nevertheless, no studies seem to have evaluated the role of these cognitive-emotional factors in determining sexual dissatisfaction. AIM To test a cognitive-emotional model of sexual dissatisfaction in women. METHODS In total, 207 women answered questionnaires assessing sexual dissatisfaction and cognitive and emotional variables that might affect sexual dissatisfaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sexual dissatisfaction was measured by the Index of Sexual Satisfaction, sexual beliefs were measured by the Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire, and thoughts and emotional responses were measured by the Sexual Modes Questionnaire. RESULTS A path analysis was conducted to assess the conceptual model proposed. Results indicated that dysfunctional sexual beliefs work as predisposing factors by eliciting negative automatic thoughts and emotions, which impair the processing of erotic stimuli and interfere negatively with sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION This finding suggests a role for cognitive and emotional factors in predisposing and maintaining sexual dissatisfaction in women, suggesting relevant implications for intervention.

Translation and validation of the Portuguese version of the Sexual Desire Inventory-2: assessing gender differences

ABSTRACT Sexual desire is a complex construct that comprises psychological, physiological, and contextual dimensions, which have been broadly studied in both research and clinical contexts. The Sexual Desire Inventory-2 (SDI-2) is a self-report measure extensively used for assessing both dyadic and solitary sexual desire. More recently, empirical studies have suggested that SDI-2 allows to assessing, in addition to solitary sexual desire, both partner- and attractive person-related dyadic sexual desire. Current study aims to translate and validate the SDI-2 for the Portuguese population, and test the availability of assessing both partner and attractive person-related dyadic sexual desire. An online sample constituted by 422 participants (211 women and 211 men) completed the SDI-2, and a set of sex-related self-report measures. According to confirmatory factor analysis, a three-factor model best fit the Portuguese version, supporting the factorial structure proposed recently, namely solitary sexual desire, partner-related, and attractive person-related dyadic sexual desire dimensions. Reliability and validity findings also revealed good to excellent values. Overall, the Portuguese version of the SDI-2 presented good psychometric properties and appears to be a valid and reliable measure for assessing both solitary and dyadic sexual desire.

The Activation of Incompetence Schemas in Response to Negative Sexual Events in Heterosexual and Lesbian Women: The Moderator Role of Personality Traits and Dysfunctional Sexual Beliefs

Personality traits and dysfunctional sexual beliefs have been described as vulnerability factors for sexual dysfunction in women, and have also been proposed as dispositional variables for the activation of incompetence schemas in response to negative sexual events. However, no study has tested the role of personality traits and dysfunctional sexual beliefs in the activation of incompetence schemas. The current study aimed to assess the moderator role of neuroticism, extraversion, and dysfunctional sexual beliefs in the association between frequency of unsuccessful sexual episodes and activation of incompetence schemas in heterosexual and lesbian women. An online survey was completed by 1,121 women (831 heterosexual; 290 lesbian). Participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire—Female Version (SDBQ), and the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schemas Activated in Sexual Context (QCSASC). Findings indicate that neuroticism moderates the association between frequency of negative sexual events and activation of incompetence schemas in heterosexual women. Moreover, several sexual beliefs also act as moderators of the relationship between negative sexual episodes and the activation of cognitive schemas in both heterosexual and lesbian women. Overall, findings support the cognitive-emotional model of sexual dysfunctions, emphasizing the role of personality traits and dysfunctional sexual beliefs as facilitators of the activation of incompetence schemas in response to negative events in women.