Comparison the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and cognitive- behavior therapy on Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder, Sexual Intimacy and Sexual Self- Concept of Women

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive behavior therapy on female sexual interest/arousal disorder, sexual intimacy and sexual self- concept of married women referring to counseling centers in Isfahan city. This was a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, three months follow up and control group. The population included married women with sexual interest arousal problems who responded to calls from counseling centers. 45 Samples were selected with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition criteria and female sexual function questionnaire scores. Subjects were randomly assigned in two experimental groups and control group. The experimental groups received 8 sessions 90 minutes weekly intervention. The instruments used in this study included Rosen Female Sexual Function Questionnaire, Botlani Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire and Snell Sexual Self- Concept Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by analysis of covariance with repeated measures. The results showed that both treatment approaches had a significant effect on all three variables. (P>0.05). And there was no significant difference between the two treatment approaches. Thus, both therapeutic interventions can be used to improve sexual desire / arousal disorders and increase sexual intimacy and sexual self-concept.