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Biomedical subjects

J K Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to J K Meyer.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

A psychological profile of the transsexual. I. The male.

The present research introduced standardized psychological measurement into the clinical assessment of the male transsexual. Thirty-one males with a presenting complaint of gender dysphoria were carefully screened as to their correspondence with current nosological conceptions of transsexualism, and administered the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI) as part of their clinical psychometric work-up. The DSFI is an omnibus self-report scale providing measurement in the primary domains of sexual information, sexual experiences, sexual drive, sexual attitudes, psychological symptoms, affects, gender role definition, and sexual fantasy. Transsexual profiles were contrasted with those of a comparison group of 57 normal heterosexual males. Results of the comparisons revealed the transsexuals to show a significant decrement in accurate sexual information, and a marked reduction in the variety of sexual experiences they have been involved in. They also revealed a reduction in drive levels; however, this was qualified by which indicator of drive was used. Significant elevations in psychological symptoms and dysphoric affect were also noted, particularly of a depressive nature. Gender role definitions were markedly polarized in the feminine direction for male transsexuals, and their fantasy endorsements revealed some of the classic transsexual themes. The ability to develop this quantified and standardized psychological profile is viewed as an important step in accurately assessing the nature of these complex individuals, and developing a more accurate understanding of their condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Distinction between male and female invested partners in sexual disorders.

Using the SCL-90, a self-administered symptom inventory, the authors evaluated 48 sexually asymptomatic male and female partners (invested partners) of sexually dysfunctional men and women. They found that the male invested partners showed significantly more psychological symptoms than the female invested partners but about the same symptom distress levels as sexually dysfunctional men. The authors hypothesize that the reason for this gender-specific difference in distress levels of invested partners is society's definition of the male's role as the responsibe partner regarding satisfaction in sexual relationships.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Discrimination of organic versus psychogenic impotence with the DSFI.

The present study was oriented to discriminating impotence of biogenic origins from that with a psychogenic etiology on the basis of a psychological inventory--the DSFI. Subjects for the study were 14 males who presented with impotence clearly related to organic causes and a matched group of 14 males with impotence of psychogenic origins. Comparisons of scores on the eight subtests of the DSFI revealed psychogenic males to have significantly higher scores on two subscales--Experience and Gender Role Definition. The latter showed psychogenic males to have hypermasculine role definitions, and a cutting-score analysis revealed an 89% correct etiologic assignment on the basis of the gender role variable. A detailed analysis of the Symptoms subtest indicated that psychogenically impotent males also showed markedly reduced scores on the Phobic Anxiety dimension. Results were interpreted in the context of gender role research, and a dynamic hypothesis suggesting that counterphobic mechanisms may be central to psychogenic impotence was postulated. Evaluation of the increase in predictive efficiency associated with use of the DSFI in this context revealed it to be of marked value in the clinical assessment of male potency disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Brief treatment of sexual problems.

Brief, behaviorally oriented treatment of sexual dysfunction is gaining increasing acceptance in medicine and psychiatry. However, relatively few clinics have published their treatment results. During a 2 1/2-year period, 36 couples with diagnoses of sexual dysfunction were treated with a modified Masters and Johnson protocol. The initial success rate was 83%, but the degree of improvement reported by the couples varied from marked to equivocal. Eighty-nine percent of the male partners and 83% of the female partners manifested psychologic signs or symptoms that either warranted a psychiatric diagnosis or were noted as significant traits or symptoms. With an average of 7.9 months of follow-up, the failure rate increased from 17% to 38%. This increase was attributed in part to the degree of combined psychosexual disorder identified in the patients. The etiologic relationships between psychiatric conditions and sexual dysfunctions are not fully understood and will require further study.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Training and accreditation for the treatment of sexual disorders.

The field of "sex therapy" is not defined by specific, limited techniques. Rather, it encompasses a subspecialty based on an understanding of psychodynamics and psychological development but requiring additional skills from other branches of medicine. Despite its breadth and complexity, sex therapy training is unregulated, with the public lacking the protection afforded by standardized training programs or certification. The author outlines the scope of sex therapy as a psychiatric and medical subspecialty and delineates the necessary clinical skills for the physician-practitioner.

Certification↗
PubMed1975

Short-term treatment of Sexual problems: interim report.

Of 52 couples requesting treatment for sexual disorders, 16 were treated in accordance with the protocol of Masters and Johnson except that most were seen once a week for 10 or more weeks rather than daily for a briefer period. The treatment results were less successful than those obtained by Masters and Johnson. The authors believe that the successes of this approach nonetheless suggest a need to reevaluate the degree to which sexual problems may be conditioned responses. They also stress the need for specifying the degree of improvement among nonfailures for purposes of comparison and follow-up.

Adult↗