Investigating the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and sexual self-confidence and sexual self-efficacy in individuals with gender dysphoria

Background: Due to the negative effects of sexual identity disorder and the lack of attention from family and society, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between Young's Early Maladaptive Schemas (YEMS) and sexual self-confidence and sexual self-efficacy in individuals with gender dysphoria (GD) after surgery.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 45 individuals with GD undergoing sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Three of YEMS questionnaire (YEMSQ), sexual self-confidence, and sexual self-efficacy were completed.Results: The YEMSQ score had a significant inverse relationship with sexual self-efficacy (correlation = -0.333, P-value = 0.025). In addition, dimensions of emotional deprivation, failure to achieve, dependence/incompetence, vulnerability to harm and Illness, insufficient self-control/self-discipline, and subjugation had an adverse effect on the self-confidence and sexual self-efficacy in these individuals (P-value <0.05).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, YEMSQ score, sexual self-confidence, and self-efficacy were not significantly different between the two groups of male-to-female (MF) and female-to-male (FM). Also, the formation or development of these schemas in childhood in these individuals can be influential in reducing their sexual self-efficacy.