Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Psychiatric Comorbidity in Heterosexual Couples with Sexual Dysfunction Assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Psychiatric comorbidity of sexual dysfunction (SD) in heterosexual couples was investigated with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, version 1.1 (CIDI; WHO, 1992). Demographic data, diagnoses of sexual dysfunction according to DSM-IV criteria, CIDI data, and scores on the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS7colon; Rust and Golombok, 1986) were collected for 382 men and women with SD who applied for participation in a study of bibliotherapy. The prevalence of psychiatric disorder in the study sample was compared with the general population as documented in the NEMESIS epidemiological study in the Netherlands (Bijl et al., 1998). GRISS scores corroborated the diagnoses of SD. An increased prevalence of current anxiety disorder was found in sexually dysfunctional men (11.6%; χ2(df = 1) = 7.753; p = .005). An increased rate of lifetime diagnoses of affective (21.5%; χ2(df = 1) = 9.728; p = .002) and a near significant increased rate of lifetime anxiety disorders (19.9%; χ2(df = 1) = 5.642; p = .018) was found in men with SD. In the sexually dysfunctional female participants, a higher prevalence of current anxiety disorder was found (20.4%; χ2(df = 1) = 10.057; p = .002). Lifetime affective disorders (38.3%; χ2(df = 1) = 20.719; p > .001) as well as lifetime anxiety disorders (37.3%; χ2(df = 1) = 16.254; p > .001) were more prevalent than in the general female population. Psychiatric comorbidity in men and women with SD was significantly higher than that found in the general population. The increased comorbidity of psychiatric disorders in men and women with SD warrants adding efficient psychiatric screening to the standard intake assessment procedure of patients with SD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Abel, E. L. (1985). Psychoactive Drugs and Sex. Plenum Press, New York/London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aizenberg, D., Zemishlany, Z., Dorfman-Etrog, P., and Weizman, A. (1995). Sexual dysfunction in male schizophrenic patients. J.Clin.Psych. 56: 137–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Washington, DC.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1987). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition—Revised (DSM-III-R). Washington, DC.

  • Andrews, G., Peters, L., Guzman, A. M., and Bird, K. A. (1995). Comparison of two structured diagnostic interviews: CIDI and SCAN. Aust.NZ.J.Psych. 29: 124–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Araujo, A. B., Durante, R., Feldman, H. A., Goldstein, I., and McKinlay, J. B. (1998). The relationship between depressive symptoms and male erectile dysfunction: Cross-sectional results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Psychosom.Med. 60: 458–465.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, D. H. (1986). Causes of sexual dysfunction: The role of anxiety and cognitive interference. J.Cons.Clin.Psychol. 54: 140–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bijl, R. V., Ravelli, A., and van Zessen, G. (1998a). Prevalence of psychiatric disorder in the general population: Results of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Soc.Psych.Psych.Epid. 32: 587–595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bijl, R.V., van Zessen, G., Ravelli, A., de Rijk, C., and Langendoen, Y. (1998b). The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS): Objectives and design. Soc.Psych.Psych.Epid. 32: 581–586.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bögels, S. M. (1999). Cognitieve therapie bij sociale fobie. In S. M. Bögels and P. van Oppen (eds.), Cognitieve Therapie: Theorie en Praktijk. Houten/Diegem, Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catalan, J., Hawton, K., and Day, A. (1990). Couples referred to a sexual dysfunction clinic: Psychological and physical morbidity. Br.J.Psych. 156: 61–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Condra, M., Morales, A., Owen, J. A., Surridge, D. H., and Fenemore, J. (1986). Prevalence and significance of tobacco smoking in impotence. Urology27: 495–498.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cottler, L. B., Robins, L. N., Grant, B. F., Blaine, J., Towle, L. H., and Wittchen, H. U. (1991). The CIDI-core substance abuse and dependence questions: Cross-cultural and nosological issues. The WHO/ADAMHA field trial. Br.J.Psych. 159: 653–658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cranston-Cuebas, M. A., and Barlow, D. H. (1990). Cognitive and affective contributions to sexual functioning. Ann.Rev.Sex Res. 1: 119–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crenshaw, T. L., and Goldberg, J. P. (1996). Sexual Pharmacology. Norton, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. R., Meyer, J. K., and King, M. A. (1981). Psychopathology in individuals with sexual dysfunction. Am.J.Psych. 138: 757–763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. R., and Melisaratos, N. (1983). The Brief Symptom Inventory: An introductory report. Psych.Med. 13: 595–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagan, P. J., Schmidt, C. W., Wise, T. N., and Derogatis, L. R. (1988). Sexual dysfunction and dual psychiatric diagnoses. Comp.Psych. 29: 278–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farmer, A. E., Katz, R., McGuffin, P., and Bebbington, P. (1987). A comparison between the present state examination and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Arch.Gen.Psych. 44: 1064–1068.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farmer, A. E., Jenkins, P. L., Katz, R., and Ryder, L. (1991). Comparison of CATEGO-derived ICD-8 and DSM-III classifications using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview in severely ill subjects. Br.J.Psych. 158: 177–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartman, L. M., and Daly, E. M. (1983). Relationship factors in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Beh.Res.Ther. 21: 153–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawton, K., Catalan, J., Martin, P., and Fagg, J. (1986). Long-term outcome of sex therapy. Beh.Res.Ther. 24: 665–675.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawton, K., Catalan, J., and Fagg, J. (1991). Low sexual desire: Sex therapy results and prognostic factors. Beh.Res.Ther. 29: 217–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawton, K., Catalan, J., and Fagg, J. (1992). Sex therapy for erectile dysfunction: Characteristics of couples, treatment outcome, and prognostic factors. Arch.Sex.Beh. 21: 161–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helzer, J. E., Robins, L. N., McEvoy, L. T., Spitznagel, E. L., Stoltzman, R. K., Farmer, A. E., et al. (1985). A comparison of clinical and diagnostic interview schedule diagnoses. Physician reexamination of lay-interviewed cases in the general population. Arch.Gen.Psych. 42: 657–666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirshkowitz, M., Karacan, I., Howell, J. W., Arcasoy, M. O., and Williams, R. L. (1992). Nocturnal penile tumescence in cigarette smokers with erectile dysfunction. Urology39: 101–107.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kockott, G., and Pfeiffer,W. (1996). Sexual disorders in nonacute psychiatric outpatients. Comp.Psych. 37: 56–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meana, M., and Binik, Y. M. (1994). Painful coitus: A review of female dyspareunia. J.Nerv.Ment.Dis. 182: 264–272.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, W. B., DiBartolo, P. M., Brown, T. A., and Barlow, D. H. (1998). Effects of positive and negative mood on sexual arousal in sexually functional males. Arch.Sex.Beh. 27: 197–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Offit, A. K. (1989). Psychiatric disorders and sexual functioning. In American Psychiatric Association: Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: A Task Force Report of the American Psychiatric Association. Vol. 3. APA, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, C. L. (1979). Practical considerations in choosing a MANOVA test statistic: A rejoinder to Stevens. Psych.Bull. 86: 1350–1352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osborne, M., Hawton, K., and Gath, D. (1988). Sexual dysfunction among middle aged women in the community. Br.Med.J. 296: 959–962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robins, L. N., Wing, J., Wittchen, H. U., Helzer, J. E., Babor, T. F., and Burke, J., et al. (1988). the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. An epidemiologic instrument suitable for use in conjunction with different diagnostic systems and in different cultures. Arch.Gen.Psych. 45: 1069–1077.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust, J., and Golombok, S. (1986). The GRISS: A psychometric instrument for the assessment of sexual dysfunction. Arch.Sex.Beh. 15: 157–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safir, M. P., and Almagor, M. (1991). Psychopathology associated with sexual dysfunction. J.Clin.Psychol. 47: 17–27.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sarwer, D. B., and Durlak, J. A. (1997). A field trial of the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for sexual dysfunctions. J.Sex.Mar.Ther. 23: 87–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schover, L. R., Youngs, D. D., and Cannata, R. (1992). Psychosexual aspects of the evaluation and management of vulvar vestibulitis. Am.J.Ob.Gyn. 167: 630–636.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiner-Engel, P., and Schiavi, R. C. (1986). Lifetime psychopathology in individuals with lowsexual desire. J.Nerv.Ment.Dis. 174: 646–651.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shabsigh, R., Klein, L. T., Seidman, S., Kaplan, S. A., Lehrhoff, B. J., and Ritter, J. S. (1998). Increased incidence of depressive symptoms in men with erectile dysfunction. Urology52: 848–852.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spano, L., and Lamont, J. A. (1975). Dyspareunia: A symptom of female sexual dysfunction. Can.Nurse71: 22–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strassberg, D. S., Mahoney, J. M., Schaugaard, M., and Hale, V. E. (1990). The role of anxiety in premature ejaculation: A psychophysiological model. Arch.Sex.Beh. 19: 251–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • ter Kuile, M. M., van Lankveld, J. J. D. M., Kalkhoven, P., and van Egmond, M. (1999). The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS): Psychometric properties within a Dutch population. J.Sex.Mar.Ther. 25: 59–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trudel, G., Boulos, L., and Matte, B. (1993). Dyadic adjustment in couples with hypoactive sexual desire. J.Sex Educ.Ther. 19: 31–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Lankveld, J. J. D. M. (1998). Cognitive-Behavioral Bibliotherapy for Sexual Dysfunctions in Heterosexual Couples. PhD Dissertation; Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, the Netherlands.

  • van Lankveld, J. J. D. M., and ter Kuile, M. M. (1999). The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS): Predictive validity and construct validity in a Dutch population. Pers.Ind.Diff. 26: 1005–1023.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Lankveld, J. J. D. M., Grotjohann, Y., van Lokven, B. M. E., and Everaerd, W. (1999). Sexual, psychological, psychiatric and marital characteristics of couples applying for bibliotherapy via different recruitment strategies: A multivariate comparison. J.Sex.Mar.Ther. 25: 197–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wing, J. K., Cooper, J., and Sartorius, H. (1974). The Measurement and Classification of Psychiatric Symptoms. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittchen, H. U., Zhao, S., Abelson, J. M., Abelson, J. L., and Kessler, R. C. (1996). Reliability and procedural validity of UM-CIDI DSM-III-R phobic disorders. Psych.Med. 26: 1169–1177.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (1992). Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Version 1.1. WHO, Division of Mental Health, Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical, Clinical and Experimental Psychology, Academic Hospital Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Jacques J. D. M. van Lankveld

  2. Department of Clinical Psychology, University Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Yvonne Grotjohann

Authors
  1. Jacques J. D. M. van Lankveld
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yvonne Grotjohann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Lankveld, J.J.D.M., Grotjohann, Y. Psychiatric Comorbidity in Heterosexual Couples with Sexual Dysfunction Assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Arch Sex Behav 29, 479–498 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001995704034

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001995704034

Search

Navigation