Positive Psychological Interventions for Sexual (Dys)Function and Their Efficacy : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction. Current psychotherapies for sexual health focus mainly on pathology, while sexual health’s definition pertains to well-being. A focus on well-being is inherent to positive psychology, which might be better fitting in treating sexual function. Aims. This research aimed to uncover PPIs’ effectiveness on sexual function and positive well-being compared to psychotherapies and waiting-list conditions. Methods. This review received no funding and was preregistered in PROSPERO (ID: 429755). Studies investigating PPIs were included from databases Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed and ICTRP on December 12th 2023, if they had a randomised-controlled or quasi-experimental design. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROB2 tool. Data was synthesised in forest plots following the random effects model. Results. Twenty-six studies yielded a total of 29 effect sizes and 2,165 participants. In heightening sexual function, PPIs were superior to no intervention (g = 0.91), as well as treatment as usual (g = 0.34). Merely, one study measured positive well-being. The outcomes are facing heterogeneity and were mostly reliant on and supportive of mindfulness-based interventions and female participants. Conclusions. The results promisingly portray PPIs’ potential to heighten sexual function. However, further research should enable an understanding of heterogeneity and generalised conclusions.