NIMBI F.M., Tripodi F., Simonelli C., Nobre P. (2018). Modes, beliefs, and schemas as risk factors for sexual dysfunctions. 14th Congress of the European Federation of Sexology
Abstract
Publication Date:
2018
abstract:
Objective: The literature highlights a significant role of automatic thoughts, sexual beliefs and cognitive
schemas as risk factors triggering and maintaining sexual disfunctions. The aim of this study was to
summarize the evidences highlighted in the validation studies of the Italian versions of the “Sexual Modes
Questionnaire (SMQ)”, the “Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ)”, and the “Questionnaire of
Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC)” for the clinical practice.
Design and Method: The results from three validation studies on 1051 participants (425 men and 626
women) are presented, focusing on clinical implications. The questionnaires assess different classes of
cognitions related to sexuality, such as failure and erection concerns, age and body thoughts, erotic
fantasies, attitudes towards sexuality, conservatism, occidental gender stereotypic roles and control over
sexuality. Questionnaires ability to discriminate between sexually clinical and healthy people and the
association between cognitive facets, emotions, and sexual functioning were explored.
Results: Results showed these questionnaires differentiating between sexually clinical and healthy people.
Many cognitions evaluated are clearly gender specific: “Erection Concerns”, “Worries about Partner’s
evaluation and Failure Anticipation thoughts” and “Macho Beliefs” for men; “Failure and Disengagement
Thoughts” and “Age related Beliefs” for women. “Control over sexuality”, feeling “Helpless” and “Unlovable”
were highlighted as important risk factors for both genders. A strong association between cognitions,
emotions and sexual functioning was also reported.
Conclusions: The strong association with sexual functioning and emotions confirmed the need to operate
under an integrated approach, considering cognitive, emotional and sexual aspect all together to elicit an
effective improvement during the therapeutic process.
schemas as risk factors triggering and maintaining sexual disfunctions. The aim of this study was to
summarize the evidences highlighted in the validation studies of the Italian versions of the “Sexual Modes
Questionnaire (SMQ)”, the “Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ)”, and the “Questionnaire of
Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC)” for the clinical practice.
Design and Method: The results from three validation studies on 1051 participants (425 men and 626
women) are presented, focusing on clinical implications. The questionnaires assess different classes of
cognitions related to sexuality, such as failure and erection concerns, age and body thoughts, erotic
fantasies, attitudes towards sexuality, conservatism, occidental gender stereotypic roles and control over
sexuality. Questionnaires ability to discriminate between sexually clinical and healthy people and the
association between cognitive facets, emotions, and sexual functioning were explored.
Results: Results showed these questionnaires differentiating between sexually clinical and healthy people.
Many cognitions evaluated are clearly gender specific: “Erection Concerns”, “Worries about Partner’s
evaluation and Failure Anticipation thoughts” and “Macho Beliefs” for men; “Failure and Disengagement
Thoughts” and “Age related Beliefs” for women. “Control over sexuality”, feeling “Helpless” and “Unlovable”
were highlighted as important risk factors for both genders. A strong association between cognitions,
emotions and sexual functioning was also reported.
Conclusions: The strong association with sexual functioning and emotions confirmed the need to operate
under an integrated approach, considering cognitive, emotional and sexual aspect all together to elicit an
effective improvement during the therapeutic process.
Iris type:
4.2 Abstract in Atti di convegno
Keywords:
cognition; schema; sexual beliefs; modes
List of contributors:
Nimbi, FILIPPO MARIA
Book title:
14th Congress of the European Federation of Sexology