SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS AMONGST PATIENTS WITH SEVERE CHRONICPSYCHOSES

Recent studies have begun to examine the complexity and frequency of s exual and relationship problems amongst samples of community resident people with severe psychoses. For the purposes of this study, subjects with severe persistent psychoses and under the care of a single commu nity team were interviewed using a semi-structured clinical interview and structured diagnostic interview of marital and sexual satisfaction . Functional disability was assessed by the Multnomah Community Abilit y Scale. Amongst those interviewed (n = 53) the prevalence of sexual d ifficulties was 47.5% and 30.8% for men (n = 40) and women (n = 13), r espectively. The majority of men (82.5%) and some of the women (38.5%) were not in intimate relationships; 42.5% of men and 38.5% of women h ad never had a sexual relationship. Amongst community resident patient s with severe psychoses, the level of unmet need for specific interven tions (including assessment procedures, psychotherapeutic, pharmaco-th erapeutic) for sexual and relationship dysfunction is high. This warra nts evaluation of service structures and treatment packages tailored f or this group.