Managing Sexual Difficulties: A Qualitative Investigation of Coping Strategies

Mitchell, Kirstin R; King, Michael; Nazareth, Irwin; Wellings, Kaye

doi:10.1080/00224499.2010.494332

Cited by 28 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Finally, we learned much about “solutions” to sexual dysfunction and preferences for the involvement of health‐care professionals, many consistent with other reports [36]. We heard about trusted sources of information, including peers, military health‐care paraprofessionals, family members, and primary care professionals.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Perspectives on Sexual Health and Function of Recent Male Combat Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

et al. 2015

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BackgroundU.S. veterans of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be at greater risk for sexual dysfunction due to injuries, mental health conditions, medications used to treat those conditions, and psychosocial factors.ObjectiveTo explore the perceptions of recent Veterans about sexual health and dysfunction, contributing factors, its impact and solutions.DesignQualitative study.ParticipantsEight men who screened positive for sexual dysfunction at initial presentation to a postdeployment clinic at a Veterans Affairs medical centerApproachPatients who screened positive for sexual dysfunction and indicated an interest in participating were contacted and scheduled for an in-person private interview with a researcher. Interviews were semistructured, utilizing open-ended and follow-up probe questions to elicit the individual's perspective about sexual dysfunction and its cause, impact and solutions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed for themes.Key ResultsThese heterosexual men discussed a range of sexual dysfunction in their activities including lack of desire, erectile dysfunction, delayed orgasm, premature ejaculation, and distraction. They also discussed the importance of setting or context and changes over time to their sexual health and function. The men shared their ideas about contributory factors, including normal aging, medication side effects, injury and a possible role for combat deployment more generally. Reported solutions for sexual dysfunction included medications, herbal remedies, and new positions and approaches to sexual activity. Participants reported discussing sexual dysfunction with their health-care providers and what was helpful. Finally, the men expressed in their own words the significant impact of sexual dysfunction on their self-perception, their partners, and their relationships.ConclusionsSexual dysfunction in recent combat veterans can have important negative effects on their health and relationships. Our findings elucidate perceived contributory factors and preferred solutions, which can be applied by health-care providers to improve the management of sexual dysfunction in these patients.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Perspectives on Sexual Health and Function of Recent Male Combat Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

et al. 2015

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“…Women's experiences of coping with sexual difficulties were similar to those reported by Mitchell, King, Nazareth & Wellings (2011), that both men and women manage sexual difficulties by using a number of coping strategies simultaneously but a combination that varied over time. The choice of coping strategy for women in this study was commonly influenced by the length of time on medication, the partnership context and external influences, particularly the socio-cultural context of their experiences.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

“…Whilst problemfocused coping strategies are considered to be adaptive or associated with positive coping actions (Levahot, 2012), the debate about whether a strategy is adaptive or not is contested. Indeed, studies have argued that all strategies potentially have an adaptive purpose (Bergvik, Sorlie & Wynn, 2010;Mitchell et al, 2011). Emotionfocused coping, on the other hand, involves efforts to manage emotional rather than physical distress associated with the situation or circumstance, and tends to include both active (generally perceived to be adaptive) and avoidant strategies (considered to be maladaptive or detrimental) (Levahot, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s experiences of coping with the sexual side effects of antidepressant medication

O’Mullan

Doherty

Coates

et al. 2014

Psychology & Health

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A growing body of evidence has highlighted the sexual side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication. Whilst most of the research has focused on the prevalence and treatment of sexual difficulties, little is known about how patients cope with the SSRI-related sexual side effects. The objective of this study was to explore women's experiences of coping with the sexual side effects of SSRI medication and interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed for an in-depth exploratory study of a sample of 10 women. Four broad themes emerged which are discussed under the following headings: searching, suffering in silence, trying to resolve and accepting what is. The themes provide an insight into the different strategies used by women to cope with the sexual side effects of SSRI medication and highlight the importance of contextualising these difficulties as part of an overall approach to improve the management and treatment of SSRI-related sexual side effects.

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“…As described previously (Mitchell, 2010;Mitchell, 2011), Close examination of the narrative provided by each individual enabled participants to be categorised according to their experience of sexual difficulties (see Table One). Individuals who described no significant frustration or difficulty were categorised as 'functional'; those who expressed minor frustrations and/or difficulties but no significant concern about these experiences were categorised as 'dissatisfied';…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Sexual Function in Community Surveys: Development of a Conceptual Framework

Mitchell

Wellings

2013

Journal of Sex Research

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Among the many psychometric measures of sexual (dys)function, none is entirely suited to use in community surveys. Faced with the need to include a brief and non-intrusive measure of sexual function to a general population survey, we developed a new measure. We present findings from qualitative research with men and women in the community designed to inform the conceptual framework for this measure. We conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with individuals recruited from a general practice, an HIV/AIDS charity and a sexual problems clinic. From their accounts we identified 31 potential criteria of a functional sex life. Using evidence from our qualitative data and the existing literature, and applying a set of decision rules, the list was reduced to 13 (eight for those not in a relationship) and a further eight criteria were added to enable individuals to self-rate their level of function and indicate the severity of difficulties. These criteria constitute a conceptual framework that is grounded in participant perceptions; is relevant to all regardless of sexual experience or orientation; provides opportunity to state the degree of associated distress; and incorporates relational, psychological and physiological aspects. It provides the conceptual basis for a concise and acceptable measure of sexual function. IntroductionAsking questions about sexual function in community surveys is challenging. This is partly because the parameters set by the research context are demanding. They include the need to minimise respondent burden; to ensure acceptability (Dunn, Jordan, Croft, & Assendelft, 2002); and to ensure relevance to diverse sections of the population. Where sexual function is measured within a larger questionnaire survey covering other aspects of health, brevity is vital; space often permits only one question per difficulty (Hayes & Dennerstein, 2005). Measures of sensitive behaviours have potential to seem intrusive and even offensive (Loewnthal, 2001), particularly where they may be unexpected, as in a general health survey. The challenge is to achieve a balance between accuracy and acceptability. Community-based measures should also have public health utility, providing useful information on the likely burden of ill health and an indication of how many and who might require professional help. As far as possible, they should avoid including those with transient difficulties and those whose sexual difficulties represent an adaptive response to their particular situation.The survey team of the [text omitted for blinding] sought a measure of sexual function that covered the key domains and could be completed by all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, recent sexual experience and relationship status. It needed to be brief (less than 20 items), acceptable, have public health utility and ideally, be informed by the perceptions and experiences of men and women themselves.We reviewed 54 psychometric measures but did not find one that met our specific needs [ref omitted for blinding]. For example, o...

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Managing Sexual Difficulties: A Qualitative Investigation of Coping Strategies

Cited by 28 publications

References 30 publications

Perspectives on Sexual Health and Function of Recent Male Combat Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Perspectives on Sexual Health and Function of Recent Male Combat Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Women’s experiences of coping with the sexual side effects of antidepressant medication

Measuring Sexual Function in Community Surveys: Development of a Conceptual Framework

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