INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Recently Nobre and Pinto-Gouveia (2003, 2006) have emphasized the strong influence of the cognitive and emotional phenomena on sexual functioning in both men and women. Data from these studies is being replicated in different cultural settings. The aim of the study is to investigate the differences and similarities on cognitive and emotional variables between participants with and without sexual difficulties across six different countries (Portugal, United States, Turkey, Brazil, United Kingdom, and Italy) METHODS PARTICIPANTS A total of 1200 subjects participated in the study. A clinical sample of 50 men and 50 women and a control sample of 50 men and 50 women from each of the six countries. MATERIALS Several measures were used to assess different dimensions: Cognitive and emotional variables (QSASC, Nobre & Pinto-Gouveia, 2001; SDBQ, Nobre, Pinto-Gouveia, & Gomes, 2003; SMQ, Nobre & Pinto-Gouveia, 2003), Sexual Functioning (IIEF, Rosen et al, 1997; FSFI, Rosen et al, 2000), Relationship (DAS, Spanier, 1976), Depression (BDI, Beck et al., 1961), medical conditions (MHF, Wincze & Carey, 2000) RESULTS Results from the Portuguese study showed that sexually dysfunctional males present dysfunctional sexual beliefs, tend to activate more negative self-schemas (incompetence) whenever they experience negative sexual events, and present more frequent negative automatic thoughts and emotions during sexual activity. Similarly, women with sexual dysfunction present higher age related and body image beliefs and tend to activate more self-incompetence schemas when experiencing sexual unsuccessful events. During sexual activity, they also present more frequent negative thoughts, and emotions. Results from American and Turkish studies reproduced the main differences found in the Portuguese study. Data from other sites is still being collected. CONCLUSIONS Overall, results support the central role played by cognitive and emotional variables in sexual dysfunctional processes, promoting the development of integrative conceptualizations of male and female sexual dysfunctions and suggesting cognitive treatment approaches.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Sydney, Australia, April 2007
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