Dating skills training in the group treatment of erectile dysfunction for men without partners

Abstract

This study was a controlled evaluation of men's group treatment of erectile dysfunction that emphasized communication and dating skills training for men without partners. Following a 6-week pretreatment waiting period, 11 men were seen for 10 sessions in two men's groups led by different cotherapy teams. Several female guest therapists attended three sessions to help the men role-play a sequence of difficult social interactions. A series of communication/dating homework assignments was added to the weekly sensual/sexual assignments. The results indicated no improvement during the waiting control period, but significant improvement on measures of sexual attitudes and behaviors following treatment. There was a significant reduction in the frequency of erection difficulties before intercourse and a trend toward reduction of erection difficulties during intercourse. These improvements were maintained over a 6-month follow-up.