Sexual self-concept, anxiety, and self-efficacy predict sexual activity in heart failure and healthy elders

Background: Little is known about sexual activity in patients with heart failure (HF), and existing evidence suggests that sexual activity is adversely affected. Objective: This study explored the relationships and predictors between sexual activity and psychosexual, demographic variables in healthy elders and patients with HF. Methods: Participants were 59 healthy elders and 85 patients with HF who completed instruments on depression and anxiety, sexual self-concept, sexual activity, and demographic/clinical variables. Results: Those with increased sexual self-concept had 1.78 greater odds of being sexually active. The sexual self-concept subscales of sexual anxiety and sexual self-efficacy showed a statistically significant (P < .01) independent effect on sexual activity. A higher sexual self-concept from greater sexual self-efficacy and lower sexual anxiety, younger age, and being married were significant predictors of sexual activity. Conclusion: Sexual self-concept and the related subscales of sexual anxiety and sexual self-efficacy are important psychosexual variables for future research. Attention to patient psychosexual concerns is needed in both clinical practice and research.