Improvements in Partner Support Predict Sexual Satisfaction Among Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

Sexual dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). In a recent review of the literature, it was determined that 50-90% of men and 40-80% of women report sexual dysfunction. The variability in the range of sexual dysfunction appears to be affected by levels of MS-related disability and time since diagnosis (Kessler, Fowler, & Panicker, 2009). For people with MS, sexual dysfunction includes symptoms such as erectile and orgasm problems in men and loss of genital sensation and lack of lubrication in women (Miller, Bourdette, Ritvo, & Stuart, 1994; Zorzon et al., 1999). These high rates of sexual dysfunction in MS stem from three underlying causes: 1) neurological damage directly from the illness (Foley & Werner, 2004; Zivadinov et al., 1999), such as genital numbness or erectile dysfunction, 2) MS-related physical problems such as fatigue, muscle spasms, or bladder or bowel control issues that indirectly lead to sexual dysfunction (Foley & Werner, 2004) 3) psychological or social factors (i.e., increased relationship strain), that cause or exacerbate the severity of sexual dysfunction (Foley & Werner, 2004; Schmidt, Hofmann, Niederwieser, Kapfhammer, & Bonelli, 2005). Not only do individuals with MS face high levels of sexual dysfunction, but they also report lower levels of sexual satisfaction (e.g., how satisfied one is with the amount of physical affection expressed in their relationship) compared to healthy controls (McCabe, McKern, McDonald, & Vowels, 2003). However, relative to what we know about sexual dysfunction in MS, little research has been conducted to examine various psychological predictors of sexual satisfaction in these individuals. To address this void in the research, this study longitudinally investigates the extent to which negative and positive forms of partner support predict sexual satisfaction levels in individuals with MS.