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Research Article Volume 3 Issue 6
Cognitive schema factors in opioid substance abuser men with sexual dysfunction
Maryam Mousavi Nik, Behrooz Birashk, Ali Assari
School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Department of Art and Architecture, Payame Noor University, Iran
Received: October 18, 2016 | Published: August 9, 2017
Citation: Nik MM, Birashk B, Assari A. Cognitive schema factors in opioid substance abuser men with sexual dysfunction. MOJ Addict Med Ther. 2017;3(6):182–187. DOI: 10.15406/mojamt.2017.03.00061
Abstract
Background:Cognitive schemas are conceptualized as the nuclear construction of the cognitive system. Schemas are responsible for the meaning assigned to a specific event and for directing behavioral and emotional reactions to external or internal stimuli.
Aims:This study was aimed at cognitive schema factors in men receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) with sexual dysfunction. These cognitive factors have been consistently associated with male sexual dysfunction.
Methods:We recruited 150 Iranian male patients from several centers of Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) in Tehran, city of Iran. Patients underwent structured interviews that consisted of a semi-structured interview was administrated which included questions on socio-demographics, drug use details, and sexual behavior. Besides our Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC), we also used The Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale-Erectile Functioning (SSES-E).
Results:As expected, the Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context was positively correlated with Sexual Self-Efficacy-Erectile Functioning (SSES-E),(r = .772, p < .001); therefore people who have a greater negative schema activation described themselves as having lesser confidence in the erectile competence. Also most of the subscales on the QCSASC were positively associated with the Sexual Self-Efficacy-Erectile Functioning measured by this instrument. The results indicated that people with low scores in Sexual Self-Efficacy-Erectile Functioning (SSES-E) indicate lesser confidence in the man's erectile competence and they reported higher scores on the measures of QCSASC, that reflecting greater negative schema activation.
Conclusion:Consistent cognitive pattern in persons experiencing sexual difficulties, characterized by core beliefs associated to a person's lack of qualification, autonomy, and low self-esteem may constitute a momentous vulnerability element for the development of sexual difficulties. Therefore nuclear cognitive structures may play a main role in predisposing persons to sexual difficulties. These results have important therapeutic implications for couple therapy and sex therapy.
Keywords: cognitive schema factors, sexual self-efficacy-erectile functioning, methadone, psychopathological syndromes, opioid substance, schema activation, sexual context, elements, therapeutic techniques, maintenance, problems, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, relationship disorders, substance abuse disorders, spectrum, evaluating, internal stimuli, facilitating, circumstances, dysfunctional, emotional, behavioral reaction, syndromes, paranoid disorders.
©2017 Nik, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.