The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the development of sexual self-concept of married women

One of the influencing factors on women's sexual performance is their perceptions and feelings towards sexual relations and recognition of their own sexual aspects and, in a general definition, sexual self-concept. On the other hand, negative beliefs and cognitions are an important factor in sexual disorders, and cognitive-behavioral therapy and the use of cognitive reconstruction methods can help to treat sexual disorders.

The present study was conducted with the aim of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the development of the sexual self-concept of married women.

The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the research was made up of all women referring to gynecological, maternity, and counseling centers in Babol city in 2014. 30 people were selected as the research sample by simple random sampling and randomly replaced into two experimental and control groups (15 people in each group). First, both groups answered the sexual self-concept questionnaire of Snell et al. (1993) (pre-test). Then the experimental group underwent cognitive-behavioral intervention for 8 sessions and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data analysis was done using the statistical method of analysis of covariance.

The results showed that in the post-test stage, there is a significant difference between the two groups in sexual self-concept, sexual satisfaction, sexual self-confidence, and sexual depression (P<0.01). While there was no significant difference in the score of sexual desire and motivation between the groups (P<05). This means that people's scores in sexual self-concept, sexual satisfaction, and sexual self-confidence have improved and decreased in sexual depression.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy has had an effect on the development of the sexual self-concept of married women, and therefore experts can use this intervention to increase sexual self-concept, sexual satisfaction, and self-confidence, and reduce sexual depression in women.