The literature highlights a significant role of sexual beliefs, automatic thoughts, and cognitive schemas as risk factors triggering and maintaining sexual disfunctions. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidences highlighted in the validation studies of the Italian versions of the “Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ)”, the “Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ)”, and the “Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC)” for the clinical practice. The questionnaires were assessed in 1051 participants (425 men and 626 women) exploring different classes of cognitions related to sexuality, such as failure and erection concerns, age and body thoughts, erotic fantasies, attitudes towards sexuality, conservatism, occidental gender stereotypic roles and control over sexuality. The Italian versions of SMQ, SBDQ and QCSASC demonstrated good psychometric properties. Results showed that these questionnaires can differentiate between sexually clinical and healthy people and that many cognitions evaluated are clearly gender specific: “Erection Concerns”, “Worries about Partner’s evaluation and Failure Anticipation thoughts” and “Macho Beliefs” for men; “Failure and Disengagement Thoughts” and “Age related Beliefs” for women. “Control over sexuality”, feeling “Helpless” and “Unlovable” were highlighted as important risk factors, without any gender difference. A strong association between cognitions, emotions and sexual functioning was also reported. Our findings confirmed that cognitive aspects have a primary role on sexual health. The strong association with sexual functioning and emotions confirmed the need to operate under an integrated approach, considering cognitive, emotional and sexual aspect all together to elicit an effective improvement during the therapeutic process. These questionnaires are suggested for assessment and therapy evaluation. In research, they are useful to study psychosocial aspects of sexuality and can be implemented in multicultural studies.

NIMBI F.M. (2019). Sexual beliefs, automatic thoughts, and cognitive schemas as psycho-social risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in men and women. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology 7(S2):86. Proceedings XXI National Congress Italian Psychological Association, Clinical and Dynamic Section Milan – 27-29 September 2019, POSTER SESSION / Nimbi, Fm. - (2019). (Intervento presentato al convegno XXI National Congress Italian Psychological Association Clinical and Dynamic Section tenutosi a Milan) [10.6092/2282-1619/2019.7.2268].

NIMBI F.M. (2019). Sexual beliefs, automatic thoughts, and cognitive schemas as psycho-social risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in men and women. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology 7(S2):86. Proceedings XXI National Congress Italian Psychological Association, Clinical and Dynamic Section Milan – 27-29 September 2019, POSTER SESSION

Nimbi Fm
2019

Abstract

The literature highlights a significant role of sexual beliefs, automatic thoughts, and cognitive schemas as risk factors triggering and maintaining sexual disfunctions. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidences highlighted in the validation studies of the Italian versions of the “Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ)”, the “Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ)”, and the “Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC)” for the clinical practice. The questionnaires were assessed in 1051 participants (425 men and 626 women) exploring different classes of cognitions related to sexuality, such as failure and erection concerns, age and body thoughts, erotic fantasies, attitudes towards sexuality, conservatism, occidental gender stereotypic roles and control over sexuality. The Italian versions of SMQ, SBDQ and QCSASC demonstrated good psychometric properties. Results showed that these questionnaires can differentiate between sexually clinical and healthy people and that many cognitions evaluated are clearly gender specific: “Erection Concerns”, “Worries about Partner’s evaluation and Failure Anticipation thoughts” and “Macho Beliefs” for men; “Failure and Disengagement Thoughts” and “Age related Beliefs” for women. “Control over sexuality”, feeling “Helpless” and “Unlovable” were highlighted as important risk factors, without any gender difference. A strong association between cognitions, emotions and sexual functioning was also reported. Our findings confirmed that cognitive aspects have a primary role on sexual health. The strong association with sexual functioning and emotions confirmed the need to operate under an integrated approach, considering cognitive, emotional and sexual aspect all together to elicit an effective improvement during the therapeutic process. These questionnaires are suggested for assessment and therapy evaluation. In research, they are useful to study psychosocial aspects of sexuality and can be implemented in multicultural studies.
2019
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1445828
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