Sexual functioning and experiences in young people affected by mental health disorders

Abstract

The majority of mental disorders have their onset in late adolescence and early adulthood and this coincides with important stages of sexual development. Although sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among people with mental health disorders, little is known about this topic among youth. This study aimed to evaluate the sexual functioning and subjective experience of sex in young people aged between 15 and 26 years attending a youth mental health service. One hundred and three participants were assessed with the Sexual Health Questionnaire, Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the Medication Adherence Rating Sca..