Sexual Satisfaction and Cognitive Schemas Activated in a Sexual Context among Iranian Married Women of Reproductive Age

Sexual anxiety mediate relationship between sexual schemas and body image with sexual function in Iranian women

BACKGROUND

Sexual function is one of the most critical challenges in human society, especially among women. The problems associated with sexual function are significantly ambiguous in a society like Iran. This study investigated the mediating role of sexual anxiety in relationship between sexual schemas and body image with female sexual function.

METHOD

The research method was correlational and specifically path analysis. The statistical population included women aged 25-45 in Rasht, Iran, 2021. 365 women were selected using Cochran's formula and the convenience sampling method. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Sexual Self-Schema Scale for Women (SSSS), Body Image Scale (BIS), and Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSQ) were used for data collection. For data analysis, SPSS-26 and LISREL 10.2 software were used.

RESULTS

Descriptive data analysis showed that mean and standard deviation were for further passionate-romantic schema 22.96 and 4.83, open-direct schema 27.64 and 5.09, embarrassed-conservative 20.93 and 4.61, body image 128.96 and 27.35, sexual anxiety 13.13 and 3.91 and sexual function 49.83 and 8.67. According to the results of path analysis, passionate-romantic (β = 0.51), explicit-comfortable (β = 0.27), shy-conservative (β = -0.59), and body image (β = -0.62) schemas showed a significant relationship with sexual function. Sexual function anxiety as a mediating variable also had a significant role (β = -0.41) in female sexual function.

CONCLUSION

Sexual function anxiety, negative body image, and negative sexual schema negatively affect women's sexual function, and positive sexual schemas and body image positively affect sexual function anxiety.

Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Acceptance as Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction in Cisgender Heterosexual Men and Women

Sexual satisfaction is a relevant indicator of sexual health, and psychotherapeutic interventions for sexual dysfunction also promote sexual satisfaction in men and women. Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies for sexual dysfunction, including third-wave approaches, are effective in treating sexual dysfunction. Thus, third-wave cognitive-behavioral constructs may play a significant role in sexual satisfaction. This study intends to examine the predictive role of mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion and acceptance, and action constructs on cisgender heterosexual men's and women's sexual satisfaction. A web survey including self-report measures for assessing mindfulness awareness and attention (MAAS), self-compassion (SCS), acceptance and action (AAQ), and sexual satisfaction (GMSEX) was disseminated during 2022, and a sample of 420 participants was collected (n = 238 women; 56.7%; n = 182 men; 43.3%). No statistically significant differences were found between cisgender heterosexual men and women on mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion, acceptance and action, and sexual satisfaction. In addition, all variables account for 6.5% of cisgender heterosexual men's and women's sexual satisfaction variance, and mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion, and acceptance and action positively predicted sexual satisfaction. Overall, mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion, and acceptance and action play a significant predictive role in cisgender heterosexual men's and women's sexual satisfaction.

Sexual-related determinants of life satisfaction among married women: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Life satisfaction refers to the perceived satisfaction of individuals concerning various aspects of their lives. The present study investigated the predictive role of sexual-related determinants in life satisfaction among married women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2021. A total of 350 married women with at least six months of cohabitation with husbands were included in the study. The study utilized a multi-stage random sampling method from 10 comprehensive health centers in Qazvin, Iran. Scores on the Emotional Intimacy Questionnaire (EIQ), Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSCS), Female Sexual Distress Questionnaire (FSDQ), Female Sexual Quality of Life Scale (FSQLS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) were assessed. Data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable linear regression models with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 33.77 years (SD = 9.77) and they had been married for an average of 10.21 years (SD = 9.93). The mean scores on the LSS were 20.16 (out of 35; SD = 6.79). Based on the multivariable linear regression model adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics, the two strongest predictors of life satisfaction among Iranian married women were marital intimacy (β = 0.49, p < 0.001) and sexual functioning (β = 0.17, p = 0.009). Together, these variables explained 45% of variance in life satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Given that marital intimacy and sexual functioning were the most significant sexual-related determinants of life satisfaction among married women, designing and implementing interventions which increase women's marital intimacy and sexual functioning might improve married women's life satisfaction.

Sexual functioning beliefs, sexual satisfaction, and sexual functioning in women: a cross-sectional mediation analysis

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunctional beliefs are known to be negative predictors of women's sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction, but little is known about the role that beliefs about sexual functioning play in women's sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction.

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to examine the mediating role of sexual functioning in the relationship between women's beliefs about sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction.

METHODS

A sample of 301 women was invited to participate in a web survey about female sexuality in May 2020.

OUTCOMES

Participants completed the sociodemographic questionnaire, the Beliefs About Sexual Functioning Scale, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women, and the Female Sexual Functioning Index.

RESULTS

Sexual functioning was a significant mediator in the relationship between beliefs about sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction in women. When the dimensions of sexual functioning were considered as mediators, only sexual desire and absence of sexual pain were significant mediators in the relationship between beliefs about sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction in women.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Negative beliefs about sexual functioning in women are associated with poor sexual functioning and lack of sexual satisfaction. Therefore, beliefs about sexual functioning should be assessed during the intervention for women's sexual difficulties and to increase sexual pleasure and satisfaction. In addition, special attention should be paid to women with problems with sexual desire and sexual pain when beliefs about sexual functioning are being assessed.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

This study is one of the first attempts to explore the role of beliefs about sexual functioning in women's sexual satisfaction and to examine the mediating role of sexual functioning. Limitations include the small sample size, the lack of a clinical sample, and the nonlongitudinal methodological approach.

CONCLUSION

Beliefs about sexual functioning are a negative predictor of sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction in women. In addition, women with sexual pain and lack of sexual desire are more likely to have lower sexual satisfaction if they have more negative beliefs about sexual functioning.

The relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas among married women of childbearing age

BACKGROUND

Healthy sex can be affected by cognitive schemas activated in the sexual context (CSASCs) and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). Cognitive schemas are the nuclear structure of the cognitive system which facilitate the interaction between individuals and their environments. CSASCs are emotional and behavioral responses in the sexual context. EMSs are extremely stable, enduring and are developed throughout the life of the individual, beginning in childhood. The present study investigated the relationship between CSASCs and EMSs among married women of childbearing age.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 260 married women of childbearing age participated. Using two-stage sampling, ten comprehensive urban health centers were first randomly selected and then 26 individuals from each center were invited to participate. Data collection included demographic variables, the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) with 15 EMSs (emotional deprivation, abandonment, mistrust/abuse, social alienation, defectiveness, incompetence, dependency, vulnerability to harm, enmeshment, subjugation of needs, self-sacrifice, emotional inhibition, unrelenting standards, entitlement, and insufficient self-control), and the Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context Questionnaires (CSASCQ) with five subscales (undesirability/rejection, incompetence, self-depreciation, difference/loneliness, and helplessness). Data analysis was performed using a uni-variable and multi-variable linear regression model with a stepwise method at a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 32.48 years and the average duration of their marriage was 10.34 years. The average score of early maladaptive schemas on the YSQ-SF was 151.5 (out of 450). Higher scores indicate more severe maladaptive schemas, although the total score has no defined cutoff point. Scores greater than 15 on each subscale constitute the internalization of that particular maladaptive schema. The highest average subscale scores were the schemas of self-sacrifice and unrelenting standards (M = 16.12, 15.90, respectively), indicating that these two schemas play important roles in the cognition of the participants. The mean score on the CSASCQ was 34.60 (SD ± 12.59; range: 25-125), with the highest mean reported on the loneliness subscale. Hypoactive sexual desire was the most common unpleasant sexual problem (6.9%) and disillusion was the most dominant feeling experienced by participants (33.3%). The results of the multivariable model showed that the following were significant predictors of the CSASC: three subscales of EMS (emotional deprivation [β = 0.28], social isolation [β = 0.31], and emotional inhibition [β = 0.14]) and two demographic variables (job [β = 0.11] and consanguineous marriage [β = 0.20]). In total, the multi-variable model explained 92% of variance of CSASCs.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study found a significant and meaningful association between EMSs and CSASCs adjusting for the effect of socio-demographic characteristics. The findings indicate that the study of schemas and schema therapy should be considered in both premarital and marital counseling.