A controlled comparative evaluation of conjoint counselling and self-help behavioural treatment for sexual dysfunction

Dow, Michael G. T (1983) A controlled comparative evaluation of conjoint counselling and self-help behavioural treatment for sexual dysfunction. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Forty-eight couples representing four of the most commonly referred forms of sexual dysfunction in this country (viz. female sexual unresponsiveness, vaginismus, premature ejaculation and erectile impotence) were treated by either a modified form of Masters and Johnson's approach (i.e. directed practice and once weekly counselling with a single therapist) or a minimal contact bibliotherapy programme, based on the same behavioural lines. Half of the couples were randomly allocated to a no treatment control condition before receiving either therapy. Treatment effects with both approaches were evident but those of the self-help approach were more circumscribed with respect to not only the sexual but also the non-sexual relationship. Thus, some evidence was obtained in support of the hypotheses that practice plus counselling would be superior to self-help in facilitating change in the general relationship and in sexual attitudes. However, a wide range of significant pre-treatment differences among the four problem subgroups comprising the sample was found. In particular, the sexually unresponsive female complainants reported less satisfaction with the general relationship, whereas the reported difficulties of those with vaginismus were less generalised, being restricted mainly to coital fears. In general higher baseline levels, i.e. less disturbance of the sexual and marital relationship, were reported by each of the two male subgroups. There was also evidence that the differential response to the two treatments was not uniform across forms of sexual dysfunction. As hypothesised, guided practice plus counselling was significantly more effective than the self-help regime in enhancing marital and sexual adjustment for female unresponsiveness. On the other hand, in contrast to other problem subgroups, vaginismus was shown to respond favourably to both treatments. In general, few significant changes with either treatment and few notable differences between treatments, were observed within the male problem subgroups. The implications of these results for the design and analysis of future treatment outcome research in this field are discussed.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: M R Bond
• Keywords: Clinical psychology, Counseling Psychology
• Date of Award: 1983
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1983-73695
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73695