Cultural factors and sexual dysfunction in clinical practice

Abstract

SummaryAttitudes to sex and the perceived role of sexual activity are very strongly influenced by cultural values. Culturally determined gender roles influence relationships between different-sex partners, and cultural values affect attitudes towards sexual variation. Cultures define what is deviant and from where help is sought. Through differing patterns of child-rearing, cultures also affect individuals' cognitive development, world views and explanatory models of emotional distress. It is critical that clinicians are aware of the role of culture in defining sexual dysfunction and how cultural factors can be used in initiating treatment as well as in therapeutic engagement and alliance. Although epidemiological data on prevalence of sexual dysfunction across cultures are scanty, it is likely that prevalences vary, as will pathways into care and patterns of help-seeking. In this article we discuss the potential impact of culture on sexual dysfunction, and issues that clinicians, whether in specialist or in general services, need to be aware of in assessing and treating patients who present with sexual dysfunction.

A study of sexual dysfunction and its associated factors among women in childbearing age, Egypt

“…Attitudes toward women's sexuality, the role of sexual activity and reproductive health are very strongly influenced by cultural value and restrictions around discussion of sexuality. [5,6] Women's sexual dysfunction (WSD) is a group of disor-ders associated with six domains, and more common among women than men. [2,3,7] The prevalence of women sexual disorders varies among different communities, especially Eastern one, but it is underestimated due to misconceptions of female sexual function and cultural taboos.…”

Bringing the body of the iceberg to the surface: the Female Sexual Dysfunction Index-6 (FSDI-6) in the screening of female sexual dysfunction

“…Besides, the preconception that female sexuality is made up of exclusively relational and psychological elements is still pervasive, particularly in the female population [20]. These issues, along with the multidimensionality of the disorder, the relevance of ethnic differences and the lack of universally accepted diagnostic procedures, have resulted in a poor number of data establishing worldwide prevalence and risk factors for FSD [21,22].…”

Emotion dysregulation and hypersexuality: review and clinical implications

“…We suggest that patterns of sexual desire which are healthy during the early stages of a couple relationship (Kernberg, 1995) become more difficult to manage in the context of a mature sexual relationship (Both, Laan, & Everaerd, 2011;Metz & McCarthy, 2007), and that this may lead to over-expression of sexual desires and excessive sexual behavior. This pattern of behavior could be easily confused with sexual dysfunctions with a physiological origin and could be therefore treated pharmacologically, when in fact they reflect an underlying difficulty in ER that could be managed with psychological interventions (Bergvall & Himelein, 2014;Bhavsar & Bhugra, 2013). Kernberg (1992) argued that aggressive impulses play a critical role in sexual behavior.…”