Introduction & objective: Research about sexual fantasy has mainly focused on content and frequency of sexual fantasy rather than on their use in the clinical setting. This critical review aims to evaluate the existing literature relating to the wider use of sexual fantasies in clinical practice in order to provide mental and sexual health professionals with an overview of relevant research that could be useful in guiding them in their choices regarding clinical treatments. Method: A comprehensive search of four electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, and EBSCO) was carried out to identify literature regarding the use of sexual fantasies in clinical practice. References lists of articles were reviewed to identify additional papers. A total of 80 papers and relevant books were included. Results: Two main different theoretical traditions have emerged from the results of this literature review that consider the use of sexual fantasies in clinical practice: behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Behavioral therapists would usually seem to deal only with conscious fantasies; the psychoanalysts, on the other hand, of the unconscious ones. Behavioral strategies seem to be the predominant ones for the treatment of deviant sexual fantasies, although over the years the need to consider alternative approaches to this has advanced. Furthermore, results would indicate that sexual fantasies may also be useful means in the treatment of couples with sexual difficulties to improve couple intimacy and sexual functioning. Conclusions & recommendations: This review would highlight the limited presence of research confirming the efficacy of behavioral strategies in the treatment of deviant sexual fantasies. Studies on the use of sexual fantasy in intimate relationships also seem scarce. In light of the above, the use of sexual fantasy in clinical practice deserves further studies considering integrated approaches to better understand how improving the treatments of deviant sexual behaviors and sexual difficulties in couples.
SEXUAL FANTASY AS THERAPEUTIC TOOL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW / Galizia, Roberta; Nimbi, Filippo M.; Rossi, Roberta; Simonelli, Chiara. - (2021). (Intervento presentato al convegno 25th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health. Leave No One Behind tenutosi a Virtually).
SEXUAL FANTASY AS THERAPEUTIC TOOL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Roberta Galizia;Filippo M. Nimbi;Chiara Simonelli
2021
Abstract
Introduction & objective: Research about sexual fantasy has mainly focused on content and frequency of sexual fantasy rather than on their use in the clinical setting. This critical review aims to evaluate the existing literature relating to the wider use of sexual fantasies in clinical practice in order to provide mental and sexual health professionals with an overview of relevant research that could be useful in guiding them in their choices regarding clinical treatments. Method: A comprehensive search of four electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, and EBSCO) was carried out to identify literature regarding the use of sexual fantasies in clinical practice. References lists of articles were reviewed to identify additional papers. A total of 80 papers and relevant books were included. Results: Two main different theoretical traditions have emerged from the results of this literature review that consider the use of sexual fantasies in clinical practice: behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Behavioral therapists would usually seem to deal only with conscious fantasies; the psychoanalysts, on the other hand, of the unconscious ones. Behavioral strategies seem to be the predominant ones for the treatment of deviant sexual fantasies, although over the years the need to consider alternative approaches to this has advanced. Furthermore, results would indicate that sexual fantasies may also be useful means in the treatment of couples with sexual difficulties to improve couple intimacy and sexual functioning. Conclusions & recommendations: This review would highlight the limited presence of research confirming the efficacy of behavioral strategies in the treatment of deviant sexual fantasies. Studies on the use of sexual fantasy in intimate relationships also seem scarce. In light of the above, the use of sexual fantasy in clinical practice deserves further studies considering integrated approaches to better understand how improving the treatments of deviant sexual behaviors and sexual difficulties in couples.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
