Sexual self-concept, anxiety, and self-efficacy predict sexual activity in heart failure and healthy elders [corrected] [published erratum appears in HEART LUNG 2008 Nov-Dec;37(6):485].

BACKGROUND: Little is known about sexual activity in patients with heart failure (HF), and existing evidence suggests that sexual activity is adversely affected. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationships and predictors between sexual activity and psychosexual, demographic variables in healthy elders and patients with HF. METHODS: Participants were 59 healthy elders and 85 patients with HF who completed instruments on depression and anxiety, sexual self-concept, sexual activity, and demographic/clinical variables. RESULTS: Those with increased sexual self-concept had 1.78 greater odds of being sexually active. The sexual self-concept subscales of sexual anxiety and sexual self-efficacy showed a statistically significant (P < .01) independent effect on sexual activity. A higher sexual self-concept from greater sexual self-efficacy and lower sexual anxiety, younger age, and being married were significant predictors of sexual activity. CONCLUSION: Sexual self-concept and the related subscales of sexual anxiety and sexual self-efficacy are important psychosexual variables for future research. Attention to patient psychosexual concerns is needed in both clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]