Childhood, adolescent and current psychological factors associated with sexual dysfunction

This study was concerned with the association between childhood, adolescent and adult factors and levels of sexual dysfunction. Most data that have been gathered on this question are methodologically flawed: a narrow range of factors are considered and studies frequently lack comparative control groups. Sixty-six males and 128 females participated in the current study. A broad range of childhood, adolescent and current individual and relationship factors were assessed. Subjects also completed a self-report questionnaire on their sexual functioning. This allowed respondents to be categorized into one of three groupings: functional, dysfunctional and clinical dysfunctional. No differences were found in the response patterns of the dysfunctional and clinical dysfunctional groups. The factors which were most likely to be associated with sexual dysfunction in adulthood were negative attitudes toward sex held by parents during childhood, general attitudes to sex and comfort with sexual interaction in adulthood, satisfaction with and stability of the current relationship, and comfort with one's sexual identify. Adolescent factors were not associated with sexual functioning in adulthood. The results suggest that it is not the experience of particular events that influences sexual functioning, but rather the attitudes that may result from these experiences. The implications of this finding for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions are discussed.