Chronic Disease and Sexuality: A Generic Conceptual Framework Jesse E. A. Verschuren Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; and Graduate School for Health Care Research, University of Groningen Paul Enzlin Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, Department of Public Health, Catholic University Leuven; and Context—Center for Marital, Family, and Sex Therapy, Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University Leuven Pieter U. Dijkstra Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; Graduate School for Health Care Research, University of Groningen; and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen Jan H. B. Geertzen and Rienk Dekker Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen; and Graduate School for Health Care Research, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen Although sexual dysfunctions are frequently comorbid with many chronic diseases and their treatments, until recently, these dysfunctions have been neglected in both research and clinical practice. Fortunately, sexual functioning in the context of chronic disease has now begun to receive more scientific attention. Studies in the field are, however, quite diverse in terms of topics and methodology, not only making comparisons across studies on a single disease dif- ficult, but also making comparisons across different diseases impossible. In an attempt to inspire researchers, this article presents a ‘‘generic’’ conceptual framework regarding the impact of chronic diseases (and their treatments) on sexual function. The major goals of this conceptual framework are to provide an in-depth analysis of, and insight into, the process by which disease-related psychological and relational factors impact the sexual functioning and well-being of patients, their partners, and their relationships. Some of the associations within the conceptual framework have already been supported by the results of empirical studies on various diseases. This review ends with an overview of the limitations of previous research, proposes a research agenda for the field, and presents a research tool that may be helpful in developing new studies investigating the association between chronic diseases and sexuality. Sexuality is a basic human right and a fundamental part of a full and healthy life (World Association for Sexual Health, 2008). For most healthy men and women, sexu- ality is central to their lives and contributes to their per- sonal and relational quality of life (e.g., Laumann et al., 2005). For patients with a chronic disease, sexuality is also a significant determinant of quality of life, with sexual intimacy being an important mode of communication with their partner (Clayton & Ramamurthy, 2008). Although sexual dysfunction is highly comorbid with many (treatments of) chronic diseases, sexual dysfunction as a side effect of chronic disease has long been ignored in both research and clinical practice. Currently, however, the situation is changing, and the topic of sexuality in chronic disease 1 is gradually receiving Correspondence should be addressed to Paul Enzlin, Context— Center for Marital, Family, and Sex Therapy, Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University Leuven, Campus St-Rafae ¨l, Kapucijnenvoer 33–blok i–bus 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: paul.enzlin@uzleuven.be 1 In this review, we have chosen to use the term chronic disease to refer to both mental and physical diseases, illnesses, and disabilities, which all have a specific significance in the English language. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH, 47, 1–18, 2010 Copyright # The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality ISSN: 0022-4499 print=1559-8519 online DOI: 10.1080/00224491003658227