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Predictors of body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity in a sample of men with ED

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 27, pages 103–107 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Our aim is to scrutinize the extent to which aspects of body dissatisfaction and relationship variables predict body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity (BACDSA) in a sample of men diagnosed with ED. A total of 65 heterosexual Portuguese participants with ED completed a survey that included questions on socio-demographic data as well as body-related and relationship measures. We used the Global Body Dissatisfaction (GBD) Subscale of the Body Attitudes Test; a version of the Contour Drawing Rating Scale; a single item on partner’s opinion perceived about one’s body appearance; the Global Measure of Relationship Satisfaction; and the Inclusion of Other in Self Scale. Open questions assessed focus on specific body parts during sexual activity and relationship length. Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that only GBD was a significant predictor of BACDSA, contrary to the relationship measures that showed no significant predictive effect (R2 =0.47). Our results support the important role of individual factors on explanatory models of sexual dysfunctions, suggesting that interventions addressing individual factors that affect BACDSA may be of preference.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Marta Crawford, MSc and Nuno Pereira, MD, PhD for their support throughout this work. This study was financed by a grant with reference SFRH/BD/39934/2007 from the Portuguese National Foundation of Science and Technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal

    P M Pascoal, C F Raposo & L B Oliveira

  2. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Lisboa, Portugal

    P M Pascoal

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  1. P M Pascoal
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  2. C F Raposo
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  3. L B Oliveira
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Correspondence to P M Pascoal.

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Pascoal, P., Raposo, C. & Oliveira, L. Predictors of body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity in a sample of men with ED. Int J Impot Res 27, 103–107 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2014.40

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