Abstract
Although recent research suggests that individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be an effective treatment for female
sexual dysfunctions, we have little information regarding predictors of treatment response. The goal of the current study
was to assess the degree to which pre-treatment relationship satisfaction predicted treatment response to cognitive behavioral
sex therapy. Women with sexual dysfunction (n = 31, M age = 28 years, 77.4 % Caucasian) receiving cognitive-behavioral sex therapy with or without ginkgo biloba, as part of a
wider randomized clinical trial, were assessed pre- and post-treatment using validated self-report measures of sexual satisfaction,
sexual distress, sexual functioning, and relationship satisfaction. Pre-treatment relationship satisfaction predicted changes
in sexual satisfaction and distress, but not sexual functioning. Women with higher relationship satisfaction at intake experienced
larger gains in sexual satisfaction and distress over the course of treatment. Pre-treatment relationship satisfaction also
moderated the association between changes in sexual functioning and changes in sexual distress, such that improved functioning
was associated with decreased distress only for women entering therapy with high relationship satisfaction. These findings
suggest that, for women with low relationship satisfaction before entering treatment, improvement in sexual functioning may
not be enough to alleviate their sexual distress.
sexual dysfunctions, we have little information regarding predictors of treatment response. The goal of the current study
was to assess the degree to which pre-treatment relationship satisfaction predicted treatment response to cognitive behavioral
sex therapy. Women with sexual dysfunction (n = 31, M age = 28 years, 77.4 % Caucasian) receiving cognitive-behavioral sex therapy with or without ginkgo biloba, as part of a
wider randomized clinical trial, were assessed pre- and post-treatment using validated self-report measures of sexual satisfaction,
sexual distress, sexual functioning, and relationship satisfaction. Pre-treatment relationship satisfaction predicted changes
in sexual satisfaction and distress, but not sexual functioning. Women with higher relationship satisfaction at intake experienced
larger gains in sexual satisfaction and distress over the course of treatment. Pre-treatment relationship satisfaction also
moderated the association between changes in sexual functioning and changes in sexual distress, such that improved functioning
was associated with decreased distress only for women entering therapy with high relationship satisfaction. These findings
suggest that, for women with low relationship satisfaction before entering treatment, improvement in sexual functioning may
not be enough to alleviate their sexual distress.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-012-9961-3
- Authors
- Kyle R. Stephenson, Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton, Austin, TX 78751, USA
- Alessandra H. Rellini, Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Cindy M. Meston, Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton, Austin, TX 78751, USA
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002