Sexual attitudes of psychogenic and organic impotence.

Thirty organically impotent men were contrasted with 21 psychogenically impotent men and 17 normal controls. Distinctions among sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and sexual interests were evaluated on the Sex Form. Results suggest that impotent men can be reliably distinguished from non-impotent men on the basis of their use of activity rather than fantasy in coping with life's problems and their interest in receiving treatment for their condition. Separate comparisons between the control group and the two impotent groups further suggest that both can be reliably distinguished from normals. It is more difficult, however, to distinguish between organically and psychogenically impotent men on the basis of sexual interests, attitudes, and behavior. The findings suggest, however, that impotent men generally and psychogenically impotent men in particular tend to be individuals who have relatively low sexual drive, diminished sexual knowledge, and who are prone to active ways of coping with stress. The results are discussed in light of previous findings.