Comparison of sexual functioning in clinical and nonclinical populations using the Changes in Sexual Functioning...

The Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ), a structured interview/questionnaire designed to measure illness- and medication-related effects on sexual functioning, is presented with initial evidence of its clinical usefulness in differentiating between those who have sexual dysfunction and those who have no dysfunction. Individuals from clinical and nonclinical samples completed the CSFQ. The sample groups were compared on mean scores on the CSFQ and its subscales. Comparative findings indicate that psychiatric patients diagnosed with a mood disorder have significantly lower sexual functioning when compared with nonpsychiatric outpatients, medical students, and psychiatry residents combined. The CSFQ is a useful measure for assessing medication- or illness-related effects on sexual functioning in a systematic way.