The influence of self-efficacy expectations on the treatment of preorgasmic women

Abstract

One of the most successful treatments developed for women who never or rarely experience orgasm is Barbach's preorgasmic treatment program. We propose that Bandura's theory of self-efficacy provides a useful framework for understanding the success of Barbach's program. This pilot study was designed to determine whether treatment affects subjects' Certainty of and Comfort with Sexual Efficacy. Treatment (n = 5) and control (n = 6) subjects completed prepoint and postpoint instruments that measured sexual efficacy expectations, body satisfaction, locus of control, and assertiveness. Although most postpoint differences were nonsignificant (probably due to small sample size), intriguing trends emerged. In particular, treatment seemed to contribute to increased Certainty of Sexual Efficacy and body satisfaction.

Sexual Risk Cognitions Questionnaire: A reliability and validity study

“…The sample sizes for the majority of studies are too small (e.g. Bogat et al, 1987), compared to the likely experimental error or variance attributable to factors other than the treatment.…”

“…Others, reported a lack of significant difference between groups (Kilman, 1987) and measures were chosen arbitrarily (e.g. Bogat et al, 1987). Furthermore, source of referral and recruitment strategies varied considerably from study to study, and even within studies.…”