Is Female Sexual Dysfunction Related to Personality and Coping? An Exploratory Study

Abstract

IntroductionSexual disorders impact up to 43% of women. However, the relationship between sexual dysfunction and psychological variables such as personality traits and coping mechanisms is not well understood.AimTo examine personality domains and coping strategies utilized by women with sexual dysfunction in a clinical sample.MethodsPatients seeking care for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) from a sexual medicine specialist were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Packets containing informed consent, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), Ten Item Personality Index (TIPI), and Brief COPE were mailed to subjects.Main Outcome MeasuresCorrelations among FSFI, FSDS-R, TIPI, and Brief COPE.ResultsOf 79 eligible subjects, 50 (63.2%) returned completed questionnaires. The mean age was 40 years (standard deviation 14). Total FSFI and FSDS-R scores confirmed FSD. Correlations between the FSFI and TIPI illustrated trends with the domain of extraversion, suggesting better function in those exhibiting more of this trait (r = 0.285, P = 0.079). Similarly, FSDS-R scores correlated with openness to experience (r = −0.305, P = 0.037) and approached significance for extraversion (r = −0.258, P = 0.080), indicating lower distress in such personality types. When assessing the Brief COPE, use of emotional support, a positive coping strategy, correlated with better orgasm (r = 0.303, P = 0.048) and higher satisfaction (r = 0.331, P = 0.03). Finally, when evaluating TIPI with COPE scores, several significant associations were noted, establishing that personality may influence these adaptive behaviors.ConclusionMany notable relationships between sexual function, personality, and coping are presented. These support a role for consideration of psychological variables when evaluating women presenting for sexual dysfunction. Crisp CC, Vaccaro CM, Pancholy A, Kleeman S, Fellner AN, and Pauls R. Is female sexual dysfunction related to personality and coping? An exploratory study. Sex Med 2013;1:69–75.

The Influence of Personality and Coping on Female Sexual Function: A Population Survey

“…Our institution conducted a similar study of personality and sexual symptoms in a sample of women presenting for diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction [9]. In that report, similar associations were identified between extraversion and sexual function.…”

“…Moreover, previous history of a traumatic sexual event or absence of emotional intimacy may also contribute to the sexual dysfunction [8]. Data investigating relationships between sexual function and other psychological influences, such as personality traits and coping mechanisms, do suggest a link between the personality trait of introversion and not being open to new experiences with sexual dysfunction [9]. These associations have been noted in clinical cohorts and the general population but often sample a population outside of the United States.…”

The Association between Stress and Sexual Dysfunctionality in Men and Women: A Systematic Review

“…Nonetheless, 68% do not pay attention to their sexual dysfunction because of their busy life conditions. As far as coping processes are concerned two studies revealed that emotional support, openness and positive coping strategies are followed by lower stress levels and are correlated with better orgasm and higher sexual satisfaction while introversion and negative coping strategies induce high distress (Crisp et al, 2013).…”

The relationship between anxiety, depression and religious coping strategies and erectile dysfunction in Iranian patients with spinal cord injury

“…IIEF-5 scores range from 5 to 25. The presence and severity of ED was classified based on the IIEF-5 total score into absent (421), mild (17)(18)(19)(20)(21), mild/moderate (12)(13)(14)(15)(16), moderate (8)(9)(10)(11) and severe (o8). The psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the IIEF-5 have been previously demonstrated.…”

“…To adapt and cope with the distressing situation or event, they apply a variety of coping strategies, 1,2,17 some of which have shown to be beneficial, whereas others tend to act dysfunctionally. 18 Religious coping is one such beneficial strategy and is considered an active coping mechanism frequently used in individuals suffering from all sorts of bodily disabilities 1, 19 and often leading to a higher quality of life. The use of such positive religious coping strategies might be similarly helpful in patients with SCI when being confronted with injury-related sexual impairment.…”