Sexual adjustment and its predictors after traumatic brain injury

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on sexual ability, activity and satisfaction and to relate the findings to neurological status, functioning and well-being. A total of 92 TBI persons (65 men, 27 women) participated. Their ages ranged from 20-70 years (median 40 years); the median age at injury was 32 years, ranging from 16-56 years. The elapsed time since injury ranged from 1-20 years (median 9 years). The participants were examined according to a procedure including neurological examination, self-assessment of general health status and functioning and mood, and collection of data on social conditions. A structured study-specific questionnaire was developed to assess various aspects of sexuality before and after the injury. Fifty-three of the participants had a stable partner relationship at the time of the investigation. This study showed that a TBI commonly alters sexual functioning as well as desire. Many of the respondents reported decreased ability to achieve an erection, decreased ability to experience organism, decreased sexual desire and diminished frequency of intercourse. A high degree of physical independence and maintained sexual ability were the most important predictors for sexual adjustment. Considering that many TBI persons in this study reported physiological sexual disturbances and decreased sexual ability, it is important to inform patients about possibilities of optimizing their sexual ability. Organized programmes of sexuality education should be an integral component of TBI rehabilitation.

Translating knowledge into practice: content analysis of online resources about sexual difficulties for individuals with traumatic brain injury

“…The majority of the leaflets reported that decreased libido was a frequent complication of TBI, and this is corroborated by research literature (Griffith & Lemberg, 1993;Kreuter, Dahllof, Gudjonsson, Sullivan, & Siosteen, 1998;Kreutzer & Zasler, 1989;Sander & Little, 2014). For instance, some studies report a decrease of sex drive of 40.8% (Downing, Stolwyk, & Ponsford, 2013).…”

Talking about sex after traumatic brain injury: perceptions and experiences of multidisciplinary rehabilitation professionals

“…Studies have shown that the rate of professionals addressing sexual issues after TBI is low [9,[21][22][23][24][25]. This study presented a 5.…”

“…For example, only small proportions (ranging from 0 to 11%) of people with TBI and their family members report that professionals made inquiries about whether they had any sexual concerns [9,21]. As a consequence, many people with TBI may be suffering from undetected but treatable sexual problems [7].…”

“…More formal findings have indicated that 50-60% of people report some level of disruption to sexual function post-TBI [7][8][9][10]. The reasons for changes in sexuality are complex and multifaceted, but TBI has the potential to disrupt social and relationship skills, body image and self-esteem, behavioural control, libido and the physical capacity to perform sexually [9][10][11][12][13]. Studies on post-TBI marital stability show divorce or separation rates ranging from 15% to 78% [14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

La sexualidad de las personas con lesión medular: aspectos psicológicos y sociales. Una revisión actualizada

“…En cuanto a las publicaciones que analizan el punto de vista de las parejas que conviven con PcLM, aparecen dos trabajos centrados en las vivencias, sentimientos y cambios que han experimentado sus vidas cuando a sus compañeros sentimentales les sobrevino la lesión (Kreuter, Sullivan y Siosteen, 1994a, 1994b. Por último, aparecen estudios que investigan la problemática de estas personas informada por el personal sanitario y rehabilitador (Booth et al, 2003;Cole y Stevens, 1975;Conine et al, 1979;Lemon, 1993;McBride y Rines, 2000;Novak y Mitchell, 1988;Rohme, 1979).…”