Integration Flashcards
(83 cards)
What is the main focus of Dunkley et al. (2020)?
The study reviews the association between eating disorders (EDs) and sexual dysfunction, highlighting how EDs impact sexual desire, arousal, satisfaction, and functioning.
What common sexual dysfunctions do women with EDs experience?
- Decreased sexual desire & interest
- Difficulty with arousal and lubrication
- Problems achieving orgasm
- Increased sexual anxiety
- Reduced sexual satisfaction
- Pain during intercourse
What psychological factors contribute to sexual dysfunction in EDs?
- Body dissatisfaction
- Negative self-perception
- Anxiety about physical appearance
- Fear of intimacy
What are potential early-life risk factors for developing an ED?
- Early menarche (first menstruation)
- Adverse sexual experiences in childhood
- Pubertal body changes triggering body dissatisfaction
What sexual dysfunctions are common in Anorexia Nervosa (AN)?
- Lower sexual desire
- Higher sexual anxiety
- Reduced frequency of sexual activity
- Difficulty with arousal & orgasm
How do different subtypes of AN affect sexual function?
- AN-Restricting Type: More severe sexual dysfunction
- AN-Binge/Purge Type: Fewer sexual issues than restricting type, but still problematic
How do hormonal and physiological factors contribute to sexual dysfunction in AN?
- Extreme caloric restriction and malnutrition lead to decreased libido and increased sexual anxiety
- Lower BMI is linked to greater loss of sexual desire
- Hormonal imbalances (e.g., lower estrogen and testosterone) further reduce sexual functioning
What happens to sexual function in AN recovery?
- Weight restoration leads to improved sexual function
- The greater the weight loss, the more severe the sexual dysfunction
How does sexual functioning in BN compare to AN?
- Less severe sexual dysfunction than AN
- More likely to be in a romantic relationship
- Higher sexual self-esteem & activity frequency compared to AN
What risky sexual behaviors are linked to BN?
- Earlier sexual initiation
- Higher rates of impulsive and risky sexual behavior
- Increased likelihood of engaging in self-destructive behaviors
What personality traits contribute to sexual risk-taking in BN?
- Higher impulsivity
- Stronger tendencies toward self-harm
- Poor emotional regulation
How does BED impact sexual function?
- Lower sexual activity and frequency
- Greater sexual dysfunction than women with obesity alone
- Emotional eating and body dissatisfaction predict sexual problems
How does binge frequency correlate with sexual dysfunction?
- More frequent binge episodes are associated with worse sexual functioning
- Women with obesity & BED report more sexual issues than those with obesity alone
Is BED itself or obesity the main factor in sexual dysfunction?
- Sexual problems in BED are largely due to obesity, but the eating disorder symptoms also contribute
What happens to sexual function in recovered AN patients?
- Women who fully recover from AN also see sexual function improvements
- Those who do not recover continue experiencing sexual dysfunction
Which group of men is most at risk for eating disorders?
- Homosexual men have a higher risk for developing EDs
- Limited research exists on male EDs and sexual function
What psychological fears predict poor ED recovery?
- Fear of adulthood
- Fear of becoming a sexual being
- Avoidance of intimate relationships
What role does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) play in ED-related sexual dysfunction?
- CBT improves sexual function in AN & BN patients
- However, past sexual abuse victims do not show improvement
How do body dissatisfaction and ED symptoms affect sexuality in women without a diagnosed ED?
- Even non-clinical women with body dissatisfaction and diet obsession show sexual dysfunction
- Suggests a spectrum of ED effects, rather than a strict diagnostic cut-off
What is the HiTOP model in psychology?
- A classification system that sees mental disorders on a spectrum rather than in rigid categories
- Internalizing (anxiety, depression) and externalizing (impulsivity, risky behavior) traits play a role
How does HiTOP explain the ED-Sexuality link?
- Internalizing disorders (anxiety, perfectionism) → More sexual avoidance & dysfunction
- Externalizing disorders (impulsivity, risk-taking) → More risky sexual behaviors in BN
How does body image dissatisfaction relate to sexual dysfunction?
- Negative body image is one of the strongest predictors of sexual problems
- Common across all ED subtypes
What personality traits are linked to eating disorders and sexual dysfunction?
- Neuroticism & negative affect → Internalizing disorders (AN, BN)
- Perfectionism & need for control → Linked to AN & BN
- Impulsivity & emotional dysregulation → Linked to BN & BED
How does childhood sexual abuse relate to eating disorders & sexual dysfunction?
- A history of sexual abuse is strongly linked to disordered eating
- Victims often report severe sexual dysfunction later in life