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Sexual Dysfunction in Female Medical Residents: The Influence of Dispositional Mindfulness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2025

R. Masmoudi
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A department, Hedi Chaker hospital university, Sfax, Tunisia
S. Ajmi*
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A department, Hedi Chaker hospital university, Sfax, Tunisia
M. Mnif
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A department, Hedi Chaker hospital university, Sfax, Tunisia
F. Guermazi
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A department, Hedi Chaker hospital university, Sfax, Tunisia
I. Feki
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A department, Hedi Chaker hospital university, Sfax, Tunisia
I. Baati
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A department, Hedi Chaker hospital university, Sfax, Tunisia
J. Masmoudi
Affiliation:
Psychiatry A department, Hedi Chaker hospital university, Sfax, Tunisia
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Dispositional mindfulness (DM), also known as Trait mindfulness, refers to the inherent ability to focus on and sustain attention on present-moment experiences with an open and nonjudgmental attitude. Recent research has increasingly highlighted the positive impact of DM on mental health.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between DM and sexual dysfunction (SD) among female medical residents.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey, designed using Google Forms, was distributed on social media platforms. We included married and sexually active medical residents. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to evaluate female sexual dysfunction. We used the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (M.A.A.S.) to measure the frequency of open and receptive attention and awareness of ongoing events and experiences and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y-T) to assess anxiety traits.

Results

Sixty-five medical residents with an average age of 29.43 ± 1.95 years completed the online questionnaire. The average age at first sexual intercourse was 25.15 ± 2.34 years and the average frequency of sexual intercourse was 6.61 ± 4.18 times per month.

The mean scores for the M.A.A.S and STAI-Y-T were 26.25 ±5.61 and 45.85 ±9.36 respectively.

The anxiety assessment using the STAI-Y-T scale showed that 30 residents (46.4%) had moderate anxiety, and 8 (12.3%) had high to very high anxiety levels.

The mean total FSFI score was 26.25 ± 5.61 and SD was noted in 49.2% of the cases.

A positive correlation was found between the level of MAAS and the total FSFI score (p=0.003; r=0.35),”Desire” dimension (p=0.02; r=0.28), “Lubrication” domain (p=0.004; r=0.35), and the “Satisfaction” (p=0.006; r=0.33)

Anxiety levels were negatively correlated with the total FSFI score (p<10-3; r=-0.42), the “Desire” dimension (p=0.008; r=-0.32), “Arousal” dimension (p=0.003; r=-0.36), “Lubrication” domain (p=0.002; r=-0.37) and “Satisfaction” domain (p=0.002; r=-0.38).

Conclusions

The results of this study revealed relatively high prevalence rates of SD among medical residents and highlighted several vulnerability factors. Therefore, several measures should be implemented to prevent and determine the factors correlated with SD.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

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Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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