Sexual Self-efficacy

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Imago therapy training on emotional orientation, sexual self-efficacy and sexual intimacy of married women. Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control design was used in this study. The study focused on all women in Alborz province, Iran in 2021. Through purposeful sampling, 30 eligible individuals were selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, with 15 women in each group. The experimental group received ten sessions of Imago therapy, while the control group remained on a waiting list. The data collection tools included the Emotional Orientation in Sexual Relations Questionnaire (Aliabadian & Hassanzadeh, 2018), the Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Vaziri & Lotfi, 2012), and the Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire (Shahsiah, 2010). Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 22, with a significance level of 0.05.Findings: Based on the results achieved, it can be concluded that every factor displayed noteworthy F values (P<0.01). Consequently, the affirmation of imago therapy training's influence on emotional orientation, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual intimacy of married women was confirmed.Conclusion: According to Imago therapy, the subjects in the experimental group demonstrated a considerable impact on their levels of sexual longing, confidence in their sexual abilities, and emotional intimacy. Counselors and clinical psychologists in appropriate centers are advised to incorporate communication imaging training (Imago therapy) as a means of enhancing both sexual self-assurance and emotional connection about women's sexual relationships.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of schema therapy on reducing sexual aversion and enhancing sexual self-efficacy. Methods: The research utilized a semi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments. Thirty couples experiencing sexual aversion and low sexual self-efficacy were selected from counseling centers in Karaj, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either a schema therapy group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The schema therapy group received 8 to 10 sessions of intervention. Two standardized questionnaires, the Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the Sexual Aversion Inventory, were used to measure outcomes. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and follow-up tests were conducted to assess the stability of the intervention effects over time. Findings: The findings revealed that schema therapy significantly improved sexual self-efficacy and reduced sexual aversion in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < .01). These improvements were sustained during the follow-up phase, with no significant decline in outcomes. The post-test and follow-up results demonstrated that schema therapy had a lasting positive impact on participants’ sexual health. The control group, in contrast, showed no significant changes across the measurement phases. Conclusion: Schema therapy was found to be an effective intervention for reducing sexual aversion and increasing sexual self-efficacy. The sustained improvements suggest that schema therapy offers long-term benefits for individuals struggling with these sexual issues. This study highlights the importance of addressing early maladaptive schemas to improve sexual health and relationship satisfaction.