Ana Luísa Quinta Gomes

Publications (3)10.63 Total impact

• Article: Early maladaptive schemas and sexual dysfunction in men.

  Ana Luísa Quinta Gomes, Pedro Nobre
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  ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to investigate the role played by early maladaptive schemas (EMS) on male sexual functioning and clarify the way these nuclear cognitive structures discriminate men with and without sexual dysfunction. A total of 242 men participated in the study (a community sample of 200 men and a clinical sample of 42 men with a DSM-IV diagnosis of sexual dysfunction). The community sample was divided into a control group (n=147) and a sub-clinical group (n=53), according to the cutoff scores of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (Rosen et al., 1997). All participants completed a set of measures assessing EMS (Young & Brown, 1989), sexual functioning (Rosen et al., 1997), psychopathology (Derogatis & Spencer, 1982), and cognitive schemas activated in hypothetical unsuccessful sexual situations (Nobre & Pinto-Gouveia, 2009a). Findings supported the hypothesis of a typical cognitive pattern in men with sexual difficulties. After controlling for psychopathology, men with sexual dysfunction reported more dependence/incompetence EMS and activated more difference, helpless, and particularly incompetence schemas in hypothetical unsuccessful sexual situations, in comparison to sexually healthy men. These results have important therapeutic implications for sex therapy.
  Archives of Sexual Behavior 10/2011; 41(1):311-20. · 3.53 Impact Factor
• Article: TheInternational Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15): psychometric properties of the Portuguese version.

  Ana Luísa Quinta Gomes, Pedro Nobre
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  ABSTRACT: The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) is a brief, reliable, and multidimensional scale for assessing sexual function in men in both research and clinical trials. The objective of the present study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the IIEF. A total of 1,363 Portuguese men participated in this study (a clinical sample of 37 men and a community sample of 1,326 men). All participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographic information and the IIEF. Principal component analysis using varimax rotation indicated a two-factor structure explaining approximately 55% of the total variance (one factor encompassing erection and orgasmic function domains of the original IIEF, and a second factor corresponding to sexual desire, intercourse, and overall satisfaction). The differentiated factor structure with five separate domains of sexual function was not replicated in the Portuguese version. The two-factor model and the original five-factor model of male sexual function were assessed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and overall acceptable fits were demonstrated for both models. However, despite a non-optimal performance, CFA provided a better support for the five-factor solution as the model that best fitted the data. An important lack of discriminant validity evidenced by high intercorrelations among dimensions was detected in both models, suggesting a substantial overlap among factors. Reliability studies showed good internal consistency for the five subscales, and test-retest reliability analysis supported the stability of the measure over time. Discriminant validity confirmed the ability of both subscales to differentiate men with erectile dysfunction from matched controls. Results suggested that the Portuguese version of the IIEF has adequate psychometric properties, and its use is recommended for clinical and research purposes. Further studies are needed in order to elucidate the association among dimensions of male sexual function and, ultimately, to offer a clearer conceptualization of male's sexual response.
  Journal of Sexual Medicine 09/2011; 9(1):180-7. · 3.55 Impact Factor
• Article: Personality traits and psychopathology on male sexual dysfunction: an empirical study.

  Ana Luísa Quinta Gomes, Pedro Nobre
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  ABSTRACT: The importance of the role played by personality variables in the etiology, development, and maintenance of most emotional disorders is strongly supported by empirical data. However, there is a lack of studies concerning the implication of these variables on sexual difficulties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role played by personality dimensions and psychopathology on male sexual functioning as well as to clarify the way these variables discriminate men with and without sexual dysfunction. A total of 229 men participated in the study (a community sample composed by 205 men and a clinical sample by 24 men with a DSM-IV diagnosis of sexual dysfunction). The community sample was subdivided into a control group (n=152) and a subclinical group (n=53), according to the cutoff scores of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction. After giving informed consent, participants completed a set of clinical instruments. Partial correlations, regression analyses, and multivariate analyses of covariance were conducted. All participants completed a set of measures assessing personality dimensions, psychopathological symptoms, and sexual functioning. After controlling for psychopathology, men with sexual dysfunction presented significantly higher levels of neuroticism when compared to sexually healthy men. Moreover, regression analysis indicated neuroticism as the best predictor of sexual functioning (β=-0.24, P<0.01). Regarding psychopathology, men with sexual problems presented significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than the controls. Additionally, depressive symptoms were a significant predictor of sexual functioning (β=-0.41, P<0.001). Personality dimensions and psychopathology play an important role on male sexual functioning. The results may have important clinical implications.
  Journal of Sexual Medicine 11/2010; 8(2):461-9. · 3.55 Impact Factor