Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility
Published on: May 30, 2025
Effects of sexually transmitted infection status, relationship status, and disclosure status on sexual self-concept
Danielle C Newton1, Marita McCabe
1School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
Abstract:
Research has indicated that having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as genital herpes and genital human papilloma virus (HPV) can have a negative impact on an individual's sexuality. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of STI status, relationship status, and disclosure status on various dimensions of sexual self-concept. A questionnaire that evaluated the above variables was completed by 117 individuals with genital herpes, 82 individuals with HPV, and 75 individuals with no STI. The results demonstrated that having herpes or HPV had a significant negative impact on aspects of sexual self-concept. It does not appear that an individual's relationship status is a factor associated with the impact of having an STI on the sexual self-concept. Respondents who had disclosed their STI to their partners, however, had significantly more positive feelings about aspects of their sexual self-concept than those who had not disclosed their STI to their partners. The implications of these research findings for health practitioners are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Amebiasis
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Relationship Growth
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Social Identity
