[The role of interpersonal style, self perception and anger in sexual dysfunction]

The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between interpersonal style, self concept, and anger in the context of sexual dysfunction.

The sample consisted of males and females diagnosed as having sexual dysfunction (N=95) and males and females without a diagnosis of any kind of psychological disorder (N=95). The age range was between 18-53. The participants were given a detailed Demographic Information Questionnaire and the Interpersonal Styles Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, Multidimensional Anger Scale, Social Comparison Scale and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS).

The results showed that the two groups had significantly different scores on all of the measures, including their sub-scales. The regression analyses of the two groups revealed that for all of the participants, males and females, patients and non-patients, the GRISS scores could be significantly predicted by self-perception, satisfaction with life and relationships. These three variables were the common variables that predicted the GRISS scores regardless of sex. However, the specific predictive variable for the GRISS scores of the female patients, in addition to the three common variables, was vindictive anger reactions. For the non-patient females, these additional variables were belittling and insensitive interpersonal styles. On the other hand, for the male patients, the scores on the GRISS could be significantly predicted by the belittling interpersonal style and aggressive anger reactions, along with the three common variables listed above. For the non-patient males, the additional variable was avoidant interpersonal style.

The above results indicate that sexual dysfunctions can be explained in part by the interpersonal style and anger management deficits of the patients. It is suggested that the addition of anger-management, and interpersonal communication skills training courses into the treatment protocol of sexual dysfunction disorders would be beneficial.