title: Sexual dysfunction and chronic illness: the role of flexibility in coping.
abstract: Sexual dysfunction is common among individuals with chronic illnesses and is associated with distress and reduced quality of life. Because of the long-term, often irreversible nature of sexual dysfunction in chronic illness and limitations of pharmacological treatments, there is a need to understand cognitive and behavioral coping processes in this population. We present a model of coping with sexual dysfunction that focuses on the construct of flexibility, including the definition of sexual functioning and its centrality to overall self-concept. We describe how this model can be applied in a comprehensive approach to treating sexual dysfunction in individuals with chronic illnesses.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Barsky
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology