Using the Theory of Planned Behavior incorporated with perceived barriers to explore sexual counseling services delivered by healthcare professionals in individuals suffering from epilepsy.

People with epilepsy (PWE) are highly likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction, and dealing with this issue is a challenge for healthcare providers. Unfortunately, there is no theory-driven study that has investigated the counseling practice of healthcare providers for sexual problems in PWE. Therefore, we decided to apply the well-established Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine factors associated with healthcare providers' sexual counseling in PWE. Apart from TPB, perceived barriers toward providing counseling could be a possible factor that needs to be investigated as well. Therefore, two models explaining sexual counseling practice were proposed. Model 1 included only TPB and Model 2 included TPB incorporated with perceived barriers. Five hundred fifty-nine Iranian healthcare professionals responsible for PWE were recruited across several neurology clinics and asked to complete TPB-specific questionnaires. The same healthcare professionals were asked to complete an additional questionnaire on their attitudes toward sexual counseling 18months later. Structural equation modeling suggested Model 2 to be more useful in explaining sexual counseling practice compared with Model 1. Moreover, attitude and perceived behavioral control showed stronger associations with behavioral intention, whereas subjective norm showed weaker associations. The associations were similar across different healthcare professionals (i.e., medical doctors vs. nurses). In conclusion, TPB incorporated with perceived barriers might be a useful theory for different types of healthcare providers to improve and enhance sexual counseling practice.

Emotional Intelligence and Sexual Functioning in a Sample of Swiss Men and Women.

INTRODUCTION: Past research has emphasized the importance of psychologic factors in the multifactorial etiology of sexual problems. AIM: The purpose of the study was to examine (i) how emotional intelligence (EI) associates with sexual functioning; and (ii) whether EI moderates the association between sexual functioning and sexual quality of life (SQoL). METHODS: A total of 211 participants completed questionnaires relating to EI, sexual functioning, and SQoL. A set of standardized and validated questionnaires were used, including the International Index of Erectile Function, the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), and the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQoL). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation, partial correlation, and moderation analyses were used to investigate the associations and moderations. RESULTS: When taking into account age and relationship duration, EI was significantly negatively correlated with female sexual desire only (rs = -0.39, P < 0.01). No associations between EI and male sexual functioning on any domain could be detected. A moderation effect of EI in the association between sexual satisfaction and SQoL was observed in women, but not in men. Sexual functioning correlated positively with SQoL in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show for the first time an association between female desire levels and normal variations in EI. Findings also tentatively suggest a relative gender difference in the factors contributing to sexual problems and SQoL, although results need to be confirmed in larger samples.

[Psychometric Properties of a New Questionnaire for the Assessment of Partner-Oriented Fascination (FfP)]. / Psychometrische Eigenschaften eines neuen Fragebogens zur Erfassung von Faszination für den Partner (FfP).

BACKGROUND: Research on partner-related has been neglected in the past. According to the attribution theory of fascination, partner appreciation is an integral part for a successful relationship. So far, however, no available validated instruments exist or the assessment of partner-related fascination. Hence, the aim of the present study was the development and validation of a new instrument to assess partner-related fascination (FfP). METHODS: The questionnaire was validated in an online study including 265 individuals (aged 18-63). The psychometric properties and the dimensional structure of the questionnaire were investigated using internal consistencies, as well as exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. RESULTS: The factorial validation resulted in 2 subscales. The internal consistency was unsatisfactory for the first factor (alpha=0.58) but acceptable for the second factor (alpha=0.86). The results tentatively indicate that only the second subscale of the FfP should be used. This 8-item subscale, however, shows good psychometric properties and can therefore be applied as an adequate research instrument for the assessment of long-term partner fascination.

Using ecological momentary assessment to investigate short-term variations in sexual functioning in a sample of peri-menopausal women from Iran.

The investigation of short-term changes in female sexual functioning has received little attention so far. The aims of the study were to gain empirical knowledge on within-subject and within- and across-variable fluctuations in women's sexual functioning over time. More specifically, to investigate the stability of women´s self-reported sexual functioning and the moderating effects of contextual and interpersonal factors. A convenience sample of 206 women, recruited across eight Health care Clinics in Rasht, Iran. Ecological momentary assessment was used to examine fluctuations of sexual functioning over a six week period. A shortened version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was applied to assess sexual functioning. Self-constructed questions were included to assess relationship satisfaction, partner's sexual performance and stress levels. Mixed linear two-level model analyses revealed a link between orgasm and relationship satisfaction (Beta = 0.125, P = 0.074) with this link varying significantly between women. Analyses further revealed a significant negative association between stress and all six domains of women's sexual functioning. Women not only reported differing levels of stress over the course of the assessment period, but further differed from each other in how much stress they experienced and how much this influenced their sexual response. Orgasm and sexual satisfaction were both significantly associated with all other domains of sexual function (P<0.001). And finally, a link between partner performance and all domains of women`s sexual functioning (P<0.001) could be detected. Except for lubrication (P = 0.717), relationship satisfaction had a significant effect on all domains of the sexual response (P<0.001). Overall, our findings support the new group of criteria introduced in the DSM-5, called "associated features" such as partner factors and relationship factors. Consideration of these criteria is important and necessary for clinicians when diagnosing FSD.

Differences in prevalence rates of PTSD in various European countries explained by war exposure, other trauma and cultural value orientation.

BACKGROUND: Guided by previous explorations of historical and cultural influences on the occurrence of PTSD, the aim of the present study was to investigate the contributions of war victimisation (in particular, World War II) and other civil trauma on the prevalence of PTSD, as mediated by cultural value orientation. Secondary data analysis was performed for 12 European countries using data, including PTSD prevalence and number of war victims, crime victims, and natural disaster victims, from different sources. Ten single value orientations, as well as value aggregates for traditional and modern factors, were investigated. RESULTS: Whilst differences in PTSD prevalence were strongly associated with war victim rates, associations, albeit weaker, were also found between crime victims and PTSD. When cultural value orientations, such as stimulation and conformity as representatives of modern and traditional values, were included in the multivariate predictions of PTSD prevalence, an average of approximately 80% of PTSD variance could be explained by the model, independent of the type of trauma exposure. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the aftermath of war contributes to current PTSD prevalence, which may be explained by the high proportion of the older population who directly or indirectly experienced traumatic war experiences. Additional findings for other types of civil trauma point towards an interaction between value orientation and country-specific trauma rates. Particularly, being personally oriented towards stimulation appears to interact with differences in trauma prevalence. Thus, cultural value orientation might be viewed not only as an individual intrinsic process but also as a compensatory strategy after trauma exposure.