Journal article
A qualitative study of Australian psychologists' diagnostic questioning of clients' sexual functioning: motivations from practitioner perspectives
Clinical Psychologist, Vol.26(3), pp.319-328
2022
Abstract
Objective:
Sexual health problems can be pertinent to psychological function/diagnosis and psychologists are key players in treatment and education regarding sexual health. Despite this, little evidence exists to determine if sexual dysfunction is explored during routine client intake interviews, when the client does not present with relationship difficulties, or from a specialist referral for sexual dysfunction. We aimed to explore psychologists’ decision-making around questioning of client sexual functioning through the lens of the Dual-Processing Model.
Method:
This qualitative study assessed 16 registered psychologists working within Australia who answered an online questionnaire around their beliefs and clinical experiences of sexual health practice.
Results:
Data was analysed using thematic analysis, revealing multiple themes favouring sexual health investigation. Main themes included risk management, relevance to clinical presentations, scope of practice, positive beliefs about asking, and competency beliefs. Primary barriers against sexual health investigation included perceived incompetence, organisational constraints, concerns around damaging rapport, sexual health not being relevant to the client’s needs, and perceptions around unethical practice.
Conclusions:
This paper challenged the applicability of the Dual Processing Model to psychological decision-making, and suggested personal biases influence Australian psychologists’ sexual health questioning.
Details
- Title
- A qualitative study of Australian psychologists' diagnostic questioning of clients' sexual functioning: motivations from practitioner perspectives
- Authors
- Ashley Byrne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyRachael Sharman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Publication details
- Clinical Psychologist, Vol.26(3), pp.319-328
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- DOI
- 10.1080/13284207.2022.2048295
- ISSN
- 1742-9552
- Grant note
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99634540002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology
- Psychology, Clinical
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