| Abstract: | Research findings have implicated 5 factors that seem to differentiate sexually functional Ss from sexually dysfunctional Ss suffering from inhibited sexual excitement. These factors include differences in affect during sexual stimulation, differences in self-reports of sexual arousal and perception of control over arousal, distractibility during sexual stimulation, and differential sexual responding while anxious. These findings suggest a working model of sexual dysfunction that is based on cognitive interference and anxiety. According to this model, dysfunctional Ss show an inappropriate attentional focus that involves attending to the consequences of not performing or some other issue not directly related to erotic cues. Neutral distracting stimuli inhibit the arousal of sexually functional but not sexually dysfunctional Ss. Implications of this model for the treatment of sexual dysfunction are suggested. (68 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
