Nursing practice
Patterns of help-seeking in women when problems arise in their sexual life: a discussion paper
Mathilde Azar DEA, MSN,
Caroline Bradbury-Jones PhD, RN,
Thilo Kroll MPsych, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Mathilde Azar DEA, MSN
Lecturer
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon, UK
Correspondence: Mathilde Azar, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Youssef Sursok Street, St. George Health Complex, PO Box 166378 Ashrafieh, Beirut 1100-2807, Lebanon. Telephone: +961 1 562108.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorCaroline Bradbury-Jones PhD, RN
Lecturer in Improving Health & Wellbeing
School of Nursing & Midwifery University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Search for more papers by this authorThilo Kroll MPsych, PhD
Reader
Social Dimensions of Health Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Search for more papers by this authorMathilde Azar DEA, MSN,
Caroline Bradbury-Jones PhD, RN,
Thilo Kroll MPsych, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Mathilde Azar DEA, MSN
Lecturer
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon, UK
Correspondence: Mathilde Azar, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Youssef Sursok Street, St. George Health Complex, PO Box 166378 Ashrafieh, Beirut 1100-2807, Lebanon. Telephone: +961 1 562108.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorCaroline Bradbury-Jones PhD, RN
Lecturer in Improving Health & Wellbeing
School of Nursing & Midwifery University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Search for more papers by this authorThilo Kroll MPsych, PhD
Reader
Social Dimensions of Health Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Aims and objectives
To explore patterns of help-seeking in women who have sexual dysfunction and the implications for nursing practice.
Background
Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem that is under-reported and untreated. Barriers to help-seeking reported in existing literature relate to the perception among many women that sexual dysfunction is: part of the normal ageing process; not bothersome or does not exist; an issue that health professionals are reluctant to address; a taboo subject. However, little is known about patterns of help-seeking in women with sexual problems. This leaves a potential gap in nursing knowledge regarding appropriate, supportive strategies.
Design
Discursive inquiry framed theoretically by Vogel's model.
Methods
A literature review was undertaken by searching relevant databases. A combination of keywords was used to identify peer-review papers relating to women's help-seeking behaviour for sexual dysfunction. Vogel's model was used as a framework to extract relevant information from the papers and structure the discussion.
Results
Vogel's model comprises four steps: encoding and interpreting, generating options, decision-making and evaluation of behaviour. Using this stepwise approach helped elucidate the complex mechanisms associated with help-seeking in a structured manner. The key issues associated with help-seeking intention are concerned with women's personal awareness of and interaction with the environment.
Conclusions
Vogel's model offers a new approach to understanding the dynamics that underpin women's decisions to seek professional help when sexual concerns arise and also provides a useful framework for nurses to consider women's specific sexual concerns.
Relevance to clinical practice
Implications for nursing practice are focused on public awareness, women's empowerment and the provision of effective sexual health care. Because sexual dysfunction is a global phenomenon, it is likely that the discussion in this paper will be relevant to an international, nursing readership.
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