Sexual stigma attachment difficulties and emotional dysregulation among patients with severe mental illness

摘要

Sexual behavior is directly affected by mental illness sexual stigma (MISS). Previous studies have shown high rates of MISS and a correlation with high-risk sexual behavior. However, those studies enrolled predominantly psychiatric outpatients. So far, little is known about the relationship between stigmatization, love life, and sex life in highly dysfunctional psychiatric patients. This pilot study, conducted with full Ethics Committee approval, described the sexual behavior and romantic relationships as well as investigated the correlation among depression, anxiety, type of attachment, and MISS in patients referred to treatment for severe mental illness (SMI) at the day hospital of a tertiary care center in São Paulo, Brazil.