The association between obsessive compulsive symptoms, disgust sensitivity, mental contamination and sexual satisfaction

The symptoms related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are common in nonclinical population and may lead to significant disabling. Sexuality in relation to OCD has been underemphasized in literature; despite that it is one of the important aspects of quality of life. Although comparative studies indicate that sexual dissatisfaction and dysfunctions are prevalent in OCD patients; the nature of this relationship needs to be highlighted. Therefore, current study aimed to examine the predictive role of not only the OCD symptoms, but also disgust sensitivity and mental contamination on sexual satisfaction among men and women. The sample consisted of 453 volunteer participants having active sexual life (253 female, 200 male) in the age range between 18 and 45 years. For data collection, Padua Inventory-Washington State University Revision (PE-WSUR), Golombok–Rust Sexual Satisfaction Inventory (GRISS), Vancouver Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Mental Contamination Scale (VOCI-MC), Disgust Sensitivity Scale-Revised Form (DS-R) were used. The results revealed that mental contamination, obsessional thoughts and urges about harm were significantly associated with sexual dissatisfaction both at men and women. In addition, disgust sensitivity was significant predictor of sexual dissatisfaction among women. The findings highlighting the similarity and difference in the relationship between OCD and sexuality between men and women may contribute to future studies and clinical interventions aimed to improve quality of sexual life.