Management of sexual dysfunction across cultures

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511543609.039

37 - Management of sexual dysfunction across cultures

from Part V - Management with special groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2009

Dinesh Bhugra and

Padmal de Silva

Edited by

Dinesh Bhugra and

Kamaldeep Bhui

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Dinesh Bhugra: Affiliation:
Mental Health and Cultural Diversity Section of Cultural Psychiatry Institute of Psychiatry King's College London De Crespigny Park London SE5 8AF UK
Padmal de Silva: Affiliation:
Department of Psychology PO Box 77 Institute of Psychiatry King's College De Crespigny Park London SE5 8AF UK
Dinesh Bhugra: Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Kamaldeep Bhui: Affiliation:
Barts & The London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry

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Summary

EDITORS' INTRODUCTION

The management of patients from different cultures, especially if the therapist is from another culture, raises interesting questions about the role of perceived and real power embedded in the therapist. Furthermore, the perceptions and expectations of the therapeutic encounter and functions of therapy have to be taken into account. Recognition and understanding of social and cultural factors and their inherent complexities are a useful first step in building blocks of therapeutic alliance between couples and therapists. While individual therapy and couple therapy have many common principles and overlaps, couple therapy brings with it at least two sets of clear expectations (others' expectations, e.g. children's, may be hiding behind the couple) and challenges. Knowing a couple's type of marriage may allow the therapist to explore potential therapeutic obstacles. Satisfaction with marriage is related to the type of marriage.

Bhugra and de Silva in this chapter put forward some strategies in assessment and management of sexual dysfunction. The gender roles and gender-role expectations, particularly the role of women in patriarchal societies, may make it difficult for a couple to accept psychological therapies. Culturally influenced components of therapies may not easily be acceptable to all individuals, especially if their cultures differ from those where these therapies have been developed. The nature of mixed-race couples has to be addressed differently. Specific groups may indeed require specific intervention. They argue that ethnicity and personality of the partner, along with the couple's willingness to communicate on other unrelated issues, will allow the therapist to deal with and potentially to reduce conflict and increase satisfaction within the relationship.

Type: Chapter
Information: Textbook of Cultural Psychiatry , pp. 484 - 502

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511543609.039 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2007

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