Reaction time crossover as a marker of schizophrenia and of higher functioning.

A factor analysis of reaction time crossover data of 53 schizophrenic patients, 45 first-degree relatives, and 38 controls, previously reported by De Amicis and Cromwell, was performed in order to shed light upon the relationship of crossover to aging, mean reaction time, and general socioeconomic functioning. The aging factor shared variance with getting married and having children, but not with reaction time crossover. Crossover was also found to be independent of reaction time speed among first-degree relatives and control subjects; however, it was correlated with reaction time speed among actively symptomatic schizophrenic patients. Additionally, the relationship of crossover to socioeconomic functioning was found to be negative among the patients, positive among the relatives, and nonexistent among control subjects. Results are discussed in terms of previous reports of higher than normal functioning found in relatives of schizophrenic patients.

Clinical follow-up of couples treated for sexual dysfunction.

The present status of 38 couples who had been treated at a clinic for sexual dysfunction 3 years previously was determined by a self-report assessment battery. The battery consisted of the Sexual Interaction Inventory, the Locke-Wallace Marriage Inventory, and the Sexual History Form completed at pretreatment, immediately posttreatment, 3 months after treatment, and at 3-year follow-up. An additional Follow-up Questionnaire was completed at the 3-year point only. At 3-year follow-up, analysis of data by diagnostic category indicated that sexual desire dysfunction for both men and women was particularly resistant to sustained behavioral change. Men with erectile difficulty reported significant improvement in their ability to maintain erections during intercourse but not in their ability to achieve erections prior to intercourse. Data from men with premature ejaculation revealed some immediate significant posttherapy gains, which, with the exception of length of foreplay, were not sustained at 3-year follow-up. For women with global inorgasmia, a significant increase in orgasmic response was reported. Data from women with situational orgasmic difficulties indicated some success in improving frequency of orgasm through masturbation and through genital caress; however, these changes did not reach statistical significance. Across all diagnostic categories, both men and women respondents reported increased satisfaction in their sexual relationship. Satisfaction in the marital relationship showed a more varied response pattern.

Three-year follow-up of couples evaluated for sexual dysfunction.

The present status of 49 couples who three years previously had been evaluated but not treated at a clinic for sexual dysfunction was determined by a self-report assessment battery. The battery consisted of the Sexual Interaction Inventory, the Locke-Wallace Marriage Inventory and the Sexual History Form completed at initial evaluation and follow-up. An additional Follow-up Questionnaire was completed at post only. Approximately 52% of the men and 54% of the women reported receiving therapy during the period between initial intake and follow-up. Analysis of male data revealed that with the exceptions of estimates of mate satisfaction and marital happiness, all other variables measuring sexual behaviors and attitudes did not show significant changes over time. Men who received subsequent therapy reported significantly more erectile difficulty at both intake and follow-up than their nontreated counterparts. In contrast, women showed significant improvement over time in sexual satisfaction, acceptance of mate, and ability to achieve orgasm through a wider variety of means. These improvements were reported by women who had therapy during the interim period as well as women who had not had therapy. Repeated measured ANOVAs and t-test analyses were performed examining the effects of male dysfunction on female functioning. Interpretations of the differences in change noted over time between women and men are offered as well as suggestions for future research.