The effect of cognitive behavioral intervention on women’s sexual self-efficacy and marital satisfaction

The impact of couples’ sexual education based on social cognitive theory on women’s sexual self-efficacy during menopause; A quasi experimental study

Objective(s): Sexual function is influenced by a complex interplay of environmental, social, psychological, and physical factors. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women is significant. Given that sexual self-efficacy is a key factor affecting sexual function, there is a need for an effective and sustainable intervention model. Additionally, involving spouses in educational sessions seems helpful. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of couples’ education based on social cognitive theory on postmenopausal women’s sexual self-efficacy. Methods: This study was a parallel quasi-experimental one. Participants included 70 couples, comprising postmenopausal women visiting six comprehensive health centers in Qom city. Convenience sampling was employed. Eligible postmenopausal women and their spouses were assigned to an intervention group (35 couples) that participated in training based on social cognitive theory, which consisted of six 90-minute sessions conducted weekly over six weeks. The control group (35 couples) attended a single session covering nutrition, physical activity, weight management, and blood pressure education. Data were collected through demographic information and a sexual self-efficacy questionnaire, which was administered exclusively to postmenopausal women before the intervention, immediately after, and two months post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and repeated measures two-way ANOVA. Results: Before the intervention, the mean sexual self-efficacy score was (51.07 ± 6.31) for the intervention group and (52.93 ± 5.48) for the control group, with no significant difference observed between them. Immediately after the intervention, the mean sexual self-efficacy score in the intervention group increased to (84.78 ± 5.30), while the control group scored (50.51 ± 6.02), indicating a significant difference between the two groups. Two months post-training, the mean sexual self-efficacy score for the intervention group rose to (95.14 ± 5.99), compared to (54.72 ± 5.86) for the control group, again showing a significant difference. The results indicated that the variables of time (P=0.01), group (P=0.007), and the interaction between time and group (P=0.001) demonstrated significant differences. Conclusion: The educational intervention based on social cognitive theory was effective in enhancing the sexual self-efficacy of postmenopausal women in Qom who participated in the training sessions with their husbands. After completing six training sessions, both immediately and two months later, there was a noticeable increase in the sexual self-efficacy of these women. Future studies are encouraged to evaluate sexual self-efficacy in men who undergo training alongside their spouses .

The effectiveness of metacognitive therapy on women's sexual self-expression and sexual satisfaction.

Sexual satisfaction, as one of the key indicators of marital satisfaction and mental health, plays a fundamental role in the stability of family relationships. Sexual self-expression also facilitates the ability of an individual to express sexual needs and desires and directly affects the quality of sexual experience. The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy on sexual self-expression and sexual satisfaction in women. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a follow-up period. The statistical population included all women referring to counseling centers in Sabzevar in 1401, and the sample included 45 people who were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (15 people in each group) and a control group (15 people). Data collection tools included the Hudson et al. (1981) Sexual Satisfaction Scale and the Snell, Bell, and Clark Spouses Sexual Self-expression Scale (1997). The results of multivariate analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis of variance showed that metacognitive therapy had a significant effect on increasing sexual self-expression and improving sexual satisfaction in women. The Bonferroni test also showed that the effects of treatment at the post-test and follow-up stages were significant compared to the pre-test and that the effectiveness of the interventions was maintained up to two months after the end of the intervention, although the difference between the post-test and follow-up was not significant.

The Effect of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy on Self-concept of Infertile Women

Introduction: Infertility is a major life stressor that can significantly impact women’s psychological well-being. One of the comprehensive indicators of mental health is self-concept. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on the self-concept of infertile women. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2020 among infertile women attending Hazrat Zahra Infertility Center and affiliated healthcare centers in Shahrekord, Iran. A total of 90 women were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=45) and control (n=45) groups. Prior to the intervention, all participants completed a two-part questionnaire including demographic data and the validated Rogers’ Self-concept Inventory. The intervention group participated in eight 2-hour sessions of MBCT. Both groups completed the questionnaire again immediately and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, employing Chi-square and repeated measures ANOVA tests. Results: There were no significant differences in self-concept scores between the groups at baseline. However, the intervention group showed significantly higher self-concept scores both immediately and 2 months after the intervention compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Group-based MBCT effectively improved self-concept in infertile women. These findings suggest that MBCT can serve as a cost-effective and accessible psychological intervention, potentially improving mental health outcomes and complementing conventional infertility treatments.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Time Perspective-Based Intervention and Emotional Efficacy on Physical Self-Description Components in Never-Married Women Experiencing the Climacteric Period

It is suggested that time perspective-based intervention can be utilized as an efficient approach to improving psychological constructs related to physical self-description in never-married women experiencing the climacteric period.

Effect of forgiveness therapy on coping with marital conflicts and quality of life

An Investigation of Psychological Factors Related to Distress Feeling in the Infertile Women