SEXUAL FUNCTIONING AND ATTITUDES OF EATING-DISORDERED WOMEN - A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

The sexual experiences and attitudes of eating disorder patients are r eceiving increased professional attention. However, empirical work in this area has generally focused on these patients at the point of init ial evaluation. In the current study we report the results of a follow -up questionnaire completed by women who had been treated in our clini c (N = 42) for either anorexia nervosa (restricting type) or bulimia n ervosa (purging type). We found that former anorectic patients were le ss likely to return the questionnaire and, of those who did, there was a trend toward anorectic women's being less likely to be in a romanti c/erotic relationship. Almost all of the women had engaged in sexual i ntercourse, and former anorectic patients did not differ from bulimics with regard to age at first coitus. Anorectics were less likely than bulimics to have engaged in masturbation and also scored lower on a me asure of sexual esteem. Although there were no differences between the two groups with regard to current level of sexual functioning, erotop hobia/erotophilia, or sexual satisfaction, the women in our sample exh ibited less sexual interest and more negative affect during sex than d id a normative sample. Also, nearly 40% of our sample indicated clinic ally significant levels of sexual discord with their current partner. Results are discussed with regard to prior research, interventions, an d further study.