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Research Article
Issue Date: August 01, 1984
Published Online: June 30, 2014
Updated: June 13, 2018
Denial: Implications of a Pilot Study on Activity Level Related to Sexual Competence in Burned Adults
Cynthia Cooper-Fraps; Elizabeth J. Yerxa
Author Affiliations
  • Cynthia Cooper-Fraps, MFA, MA, OTR, is Staff Occupational Therapist, Downey Community Hospital Hand Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA 90241
  • Elizabeth J. Yerxa, EdD, OTR, FAOTA, is Professor and Chairperson, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Downey, CA 90242
Article Information
Wound Management / Features
Research Article   |   August 01, 1984
Denial: Implications of a Pilot Study on Activity Level Related to Sexual Competence in Burned Adults
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, August 1984, Vol. 38, 529-534. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.38.8.529
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, August 1984, Vol. 38, 529-534. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.38.8.529
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Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effect of disfigurement on sexual competence and the relationship between self-reported activity level and sexual competence in burn-disfigured adults. Because of a small sample size and methodological limitations, findings were intended to be informative for planning further research rather than definitive. Results showed a strong positive correlation between activity level and sexual competence. Additional findings showed surprisingly high activity levels reported by subjects who were greatly disfigured. It was speculated that denial may have affected the results of this study. Based on this, the clinical implications of denial were explored, and suggestions for future research were generated.