An Experiential Account of Sexual Dysfunction Among Women with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study from India

Abstract

Abstract Aims: The study aimed to gather the perspectives of women with schizophrenia who had sexual dysfunction (SD) and to assess their perceptions related to discussions about sexual concerns with mental health professionals (MHP). Settings: Female patients attending the outpatient department of a tertiary care university psychiatric hospital, who were diagnosed to have schizophrenia and in remission, were recruited and assessed for SD. Those who had SD and were willing to participate were interviewed for the qualitative study. Methods and Materials: A guided interview format was used to gather their narratives. Interviews were transcribed and translated from audio recordings on the same day. The analysis of transcript from 9 patients reached theoretical saturation. Analysis: The data were retrieved, coded, and systematically organized according to patterns and themes. The manual inductive coding method was used to arrive at the themes. Results: 4 themes were found for the question assessing their perspective regarding SD and 3 themes on their perspectives regarding the discussion with MHP. Many of them had misconceptions regarding their sexual lives and the relationship between sexuality and their illness. It was evident that hardly any MHP had ever inquired about their sexual functioning. Conclusion: This qualitative research on women with schizophrenia having SD gives us in-depth knowledge regarding their snags. Results of such studies will help the clinicians pay justifiable attention to these least spoken problems.