Psychosocial Factors and Common Mental Disorders in men With Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the Psychosocial Factors and Common Mental Disorders in men who were seeking treatment for Erectile Dysfunction from different health professionals. A Structured Interview was devised by the researcher to look into demographics, interpersonal, marital/sexual, health and treatment related areas of the participants. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to assess erectile functioning, depression, anxiety, somatic complaints and social dysfunctioning in the sample. From March to June 2012, a total of 109 men from outpatient clinics of different health professionals were recruited who fulfilled the ICD 10 and DSM IV criteria of Erectile Dysfunction. The results of this study showed that most of the men were seeking herbal treatment, had a mean age of 33 years, educated up to matriculation, were married and living in joint family system. The correlates were found to be relationship with father, relationship with wife/partner, effects of Erectile Dysfunction on life, interest in sex, frequency of sex, satisfaction with sexual life, anxiety, and depression. The strongest predictors of Erectile Functioning were relationship with wife/partner, interest in sex, relationship with father, drug abuse before Erectile Dysfunction and satisfaction with sexual life. The men reported substantial implications of this dysfunction on their psychological well-being so there is a need to cater the Psychosocial Factors in devising a complete treatment plan for men having this problem. Key Words: Erectile Dysfunction, Psychosocial Factors