© 2003 by Oxford University Press and the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC)
Study of Sexuality-Related Characteristics in Young Adults With Schizophrenia Treated With Novel Neuroleptics and in a Comparison Group of Young Adults
Psychologist and Occupational Therapist; Clinic for Young Schizophrenics, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Montreal, Canada
Psychiatrist and Director; Clinic for Young Schizophrenics, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Montreal, Canada
Psychologist, Clinic for Young Schizophrenics, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Montreal, Canada
Professor, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal Montreal, Canada
Send reprint requests to Pierre Fortier, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Pavilion Albert Prévost, 6555 boul. Gouin-Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H4K 1B3. e-mail: fortier.pierre{at}videotron.ca
This study compared characteristics related to sexual history, sexual activities, sexual functioning, and psychological tendencies associated with sexuality in 45 young adults with schizophrenia treated with novel neuroleptics and in 61 young adults from a comparison group. A smaller proportion of young adults with schizophrenia currently had a sexual partner or had ever engaged in sexual relations. They also had sexual relations and sexual desires less often. Whether affected by schizophrenia or not, a smaller proportion of women had ever masturbated, and a smaller proportion of men currently had a sexual partner. Women masturbated less often, felt less sexual desire, and desired sexual relations less often, compared with men. Proportionally more men with schizophrenia treated with risperidone or olanzapine than men in the comparison group had at least one sexual dysfunction, lacked sexual desire, and reported problems with sexual arousal and ejaculation. Women with schizophrenia were more likely to report problems with sexual arousal and galactorrhea, compared with women in the comparison group. Finally, young adults with schizophrenia were more likely to develop negative psychological tendencies associated with sexuality than were young adults in the comparison group. Sexual problems are highly prevalent among young adults with schizophrenia. Sexuality should occupy the space it deserves within psychosocial rehabilitation programs and the treatment of schizophrenia.
Keywords: Schizophrenia / novel neuroleptics / sexuality
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  R. N. Nnaji and T. Friedman Sexual dysfunction and schizophrenia: psychiatrists' attitudes and training needs Psychiatr. Bull., June 1, 2008; 32(6): 208 - 210. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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