Social phobia and sexual problems: A comparison of social phobic, sexually dysfunctional and normal individuals.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to test the putative link between social phobia and sexual functioning.

METHODS

Three groups consisting of 106 social phobic, 164 sexually dysfunctional and 111 normal participants were assessed in terms of sexual functioning, social anxiety, social functioning and general psychopathology.

RESULTS

Although social phobic men were less sexually active than normal men, they were as sexually satisfied. Social phobic women were alike their normal counterparts in all respects.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, social phobic individuals were not more prone to report sexual problems than normal individuals despite reporting the severest levels of social anxiety. Theoretically, our results are best understood as supporting an interpersonal conception of social phobia and a related socio-cultural perspective regarding sexual roles.