Problems in sexual functioning among male OEF/OIF veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress

Christal L. Badour; Daniel F. Gros; Derek D. Szafranski; Ron Acierno

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.12.012

Problems in sexual functioning among male OEF/OIF veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress

Christal L. Badour
, Daniel F. Gros
, Derek D. Szafranski
, Ron Acierno

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective Few studies have examined sexual dysfunction among Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study investigated predictors of erectile dysfunction [ED] and self-reported sexual problems among 150 male combat veterans seeking outpatient treatment for PTSD within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Method Participants completed clinical interviews and several questionnaires including measures of sexual arousal and sexual desire. A medical records review was also conducted to document evidence of an ED diagnosis or associated medication use. Results An ED diagnosis was present for 12% of the sample, and 10% were taking associated medications. Sexual arousal problems were reported by sixty-two percent of partnered veterans. Sexual desire problems were endorsed by 63% of the total sample, and by 72% of partnered veterans. Age was the only significant predictor of ED diagnosis or medication use. Age, race, PTSD diagnosis (versus subclinical symptoms), depression, and social support predicted self-reported sexual arousal problems; while race, combat exposure, social support, and avoidance/numbing symptoms of PTSD predicted self-reported sexual desire problems. Conclusions Sexual problems are common among male OEF/OIF combat veterans seeking treatment for PTSD. Moreover, avoidance/numbing symptoms robustly predicted sexual desire problems. These findings highlight the importance of expanding assessment of sexual dysfunction and support the need for additional research in this area.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	74-81
Number of pages	8
Journal	Comprehensive Psychiatry
Volume	58
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.12.012
State	Published - Apr 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Funding

This publication was supported, in part, by grants from the Department of Defense ( W81XWH-07-PTSD-IIRA [PI: Acierno]), Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development ( NCT01102764 [PI: Acierno]), Department of Veteran Affairs Clinical Sciences Research and Development Career Development Award ( CX000845 [PI: Gros]) and the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute , with an academic home at the Medical University of South Carolina ( NIH Grant Number UL1 TR000062 [PI: Brady]). Several authors are also core and affiliate members of the Ralph H Johnson VA Centers of Innovation (PI: Egede), Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government. There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Funders	Funder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
U.S. Department of Defense	W81XWH-07-PTSD-IIRA
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	CX000845
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)	UL1TR000062
Medical University South Carolina
Health Services Research and Development Center for Mental Health Outcomes Research	NCT01102764
South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Clinical Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

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10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.12.012

Cite this

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title = "Problems in sexual functioning among male OEF/OIF veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress",

abstract = "Objective Few studies have examined sexual dysfunction among Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study investigated predictors of erectile dysfunction [ED] and self-reported sexual problems among 150 male combat veterans seeking outpatient treatment for PTSD within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Method Participants completed clinical interviews and several questionnaires including measures of sexual arousal and sexual desire. A medical records review was also conducted to document evidence of an ED diagnosis or associated medication use. Results An ED diagnosis was present for 12\% of the sample, and 10\% were taking associated medications. Sexual arousal problems were reported by sixty-two percent of partnered veterans. Sexual desire problems were endorsed by 63\% of the total sample, and by 72\% of partnered veterans. Age was the only significant predictor of ED diagnosis or medication use. Age, race, PTSD diagnosis (versus subclinical symptoms), depression, and social support predicted self-reported sexual arousal problems; while race, combat exposure, social support, and avoidance/numbing symptoms of PTSD predicted self-reported sexual desire problems. Conclusions Sexual problems are common among male OEF/OIF combat veterans seeking treatment for PTSD. Moreover, avoidance/numbing symptoms robustly predicted sexual desire problems. These findings highlight the importance of expanding assessment of sexual dysfunction and support the need for additional research in this area.",

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N2 - Objective Few studies have examined sexual dysfunction among Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study investigated predictors of erectile dysfunction [ED] and self-reported sexual problems among 150 male combat veterans seeking outpatient treatment for PTSD within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Method Participants completed clinical interviews and several questionnaires including measures of sexual arousal and sexual desire. A medical records review was also conducted to document evidence of an ED diagnosis or associated medication use. Results An ED diagnosis was present for 12% of the sample, and 10% were taking associated medications. Sexual arousal problems were reported by sixty-two percent of partnered veterans. Sexual desire problems were endorsed by 63% of the total sample, and by 72% of partnered veterans. Age was the only significant predictor of ED diagnosis or medication use. Age, race, PTSD diagnosis (versus subclinical symptoms), depression, and social support predicted self-reported sexual arousal problems; while race, combat exposure, social support, and avoidance/numbing symptoms of PTSD predicted self-reported sexual desire problems. Conclusions Sexual problems are common among male OEF/OIF combat veterans seeking treatment for PTSD. Moreover, avoidance/numbing symptoms robustly predicted sexual desire problems. These findings highlight the importance of expanding assessment of sexual dysfunction and support the need for additional research in this area.

AB - Objective Few studies have examined sexual dysfunction among Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study investigated predictors of erectile dysfunction [ED] and self-reported sexual problems among 150 male combat veterans seeking outpatient treatment for PTSD within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Method Participants completed clinical interviews and several questionnaires including measures of sexual arousal and sexual desire. A medical records review was also conducted to document evidence of an ED diagnosis or associated medication use. Results An ED diagnosis was present for 12% of the sample, and 10% were taking associated medications. Sexual arousal problems were reported by sixty-two percent of partnered veterans. Sexual desire problems were endorsed by 63% of the total sample, and by 72% of partnered veterans. Age was the only significant predictor of ED diagnosis or medication use. Age, race, PTSD diagnosis (versus subclinical symptoms), depression, and social support predicted self-reported sexual arousal problems; while race, combat exposure, social support, and avoidance/numbing symptoms of PTSD predicted self-reported sexual desire problems. Conclusions Sexual problems are common among male OEF/OIF combat veterans seeking treatment for PTSD. Moreover, avoidance/numbing symptoms robustly predicted sexual desire problems. These findings highlight the importance of expanding assessment of sexual dysfunction and support the need for additional research in this area.

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Problems in sexual functioning among male OEF/OIF veterans seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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