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The present study was carried out to determine the predictors of women's sexual quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 536 married women participated in a cross-sectional study utilizing convenience online sampling. Data were collected using a battery of psychometric scales and analyzed using stepwise multivariable linear regression. There was no significant difference in the female sexual quality of life based on COVID-19 infectious status (p = 0.92). Having independent living conditions (β = 0.49), less psychological distress (β = –0.42), higher frequency of monthly sexual intercourse (β = 0.20), and less sexual distress (β = –0.14) were significant predictors of good sexual quality of life among females. The findings indicate that reducing psychological and sexual distress would likely improve women's sexual quality of life. In survey of 536 married women, no significant difference was found in the female sexual quality of life based on COVID-19 infectious status. Having independent living conditions, less psychological distress, higher frequency of monthly sexual intercourse, and less sexual distress were significant predictors of their good sexual quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assertiveness and explicit conversations about sex between couples are influenced by variety of individual, cultural, and social factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of sexual assertiveness in a sample of Iranian married women of reproductive age. In this cross-sectional study, 276 married women of reproductive age participated from October 2018 to March 2019. Sampling was done in two stages. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, Hulbert sexual assertiveness scale, and Spanier dyadic adjustment scale. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models via ENTER method through SPSS (version 25) software were performed. The mean age of participants was 31.44 years old with the mean marriage duration of 119.59 months. The mean score of participants' sexual assertiveness was 57.31. The results of the multivariate regression model showed that marital adjustment (B = 0.46, SE = 0.06, β = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.35, 0.57) was the only significant predictors of sexual assertiveness explaining 30% of the variance, in married women of reproductive age. Due to important predictive role of marital adjustment, more attention should be given to couples adjustment to improve sexual assertiveness. In addition, this model explained only 30% of the variance in the concept of sexual assertiveness, so it is necessary to identify other factors affecting women's sexual assertiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationship between sexual satisfaction (SS) and cognitive schemas activated in sexual context. In a cross-sectional study, the participants comprised 313 Iranian married women (mean age of 36.7 years and mean marriage duration of 12.4 years). Data were collected utilizing an online survey comprising the Index of Sexual Satisfaction, the Cognitive Schema Activated in Sexual Context Questionnaire, and a number of sociodemographic questions. A linear regression model utilizing the stepwise method was performed. The mean score of cognitive schemas relating to sexual problems was 35.56 (out of 140; SD = 14.68) with the highest mean in the Difference/Loneliness subscale (higher scores indicating greater negative schema activation). The mean score of sexual satisfaction on the ISS was 96.80 (out of 125; SD = 16.77). The highest scores of cognitive schemas relating to sexual problems were observed among individuals with low sexual satisfaction. Based on a multivariable linear regression model, age (β = 0.33), spouse social support (β = 0.23), and spouse job (β = 0.21) had the highest regression coefficients in relation to sexual satisfaction among Iranian married women. Cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context were strongly and significantly associated with sexual satisfaction among Iranian married women of reproductive age. The findings suggest that schema therapy techniques be used alongside initiatives to promote spouse social support to help prevent problematic sexual cognitive schemas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]