Cognitive Structures in Women with Sexual Dysfunction: The Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas

Abstract

Introduction Cognitive schemas are often related to psychological problems. However, the role of these structures within sexual problems is not yet well established. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and importance of early maladaptive schemas on women's sexual functioning and cognitive schemas activated in response to negative sexual events. Methods A total of 228 women participated in the study: a control sample of 167 women without sexual problems, a subclinical sample of 37 women with low sexual functioning, and a clinical sample of 24 women with sexual dysfunction. Main Outcome Measures Participants completed several self-reported measures: the Schema Questionnaire, the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Female Sexual Function Index. Results Findings indicated that women with sexual dysfunction presented significantly more early maladaptive schemas from the Impaired Autonomy and Performance domain, particularly failure (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.08), dependence/incompetence (P < 0.05, η2 = 0.03), and vulnerability to danger (P < 0.05, η2 = 0.04). Additionally, in response to negative sexual events, women with sexual dysfunction presented significantly higher scores on incompetence (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.16), self-depreciation (P < 0.01, η2 = 0.05), and difference/loneliness (P < 0.01, η2 = 0.05) schemas. Conclusions Results supported differences between women with and without sexual problems regarding cognitive factors. This may have implications for the knowledge, assessment, and treatment of sexual dysfunction in women.

Cognitive Schemas Activated in Sexual Context: A Comparative Study with Homosexual and Heterosexual Men and Women, With and Without Sexual Problems

“…Moreover, women with sexual problems activated significantly more cognitive schemas of Difference/loneliness, Incompetence, and Undesirability/ rejection, compared with sexually healthy controls. These findings were also in line with previous data Pinto-Gouveia 2008, 2009b;Oliveira and Nobre 2013).…”

“…One consistent finding in the previous studies is the main role of the Incompetence schema, the dimension that best distinguished between sexually functional and dysfunctional men and women (Nobre 2010;Pinto-Gouveia 2008, 2009b;Oliveira and Nobre 2013;Quinta-Gomes and Nobre 2012a).…”

“…The role of cognitive schemas activated in response to negative sexual events has been supported, based on evidence from studies conducted exclusively with heterosexual samples of men and women (Nobre 2010;Pinto-Gouveia 2008, 2009b;Oliveira and Nobre 2013;Quinta-Gomes and Nobre 2012a). This study is the first to explore the role of activation of negative cognitive schemas on sexual dysfunction in gay men or lesbian women.…”

“…Previous research has supported the role of cognitive schemas activated in sexual dysfunction among heterosexual men and women (Nobre 2010;PintoGouveia 2008, 2009b;Oliveira and Nobre 2013;QuintaGomes and Nobre 2012b). Also, cognitive-behavioral interventions were found to be effective for sexual dysfunctions among heterosexual men and women (cf.…”

“…''I am needy''). Studies conducted in samples of men and women, with and without sexual dysfunction, indicated that sexually dysfunctional men and women activated significantly more negative schemas (in particular, Incompetence, Difference/ loneliness, Self-depreciation and Helpless) in response to negative sexual episodes (Oliveira and Nobre 2013;Nobre and Pinto-Gouveia 2009b;Quinta-Gomes and Nobre 2012a).…”