Development and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Sexual Communication Model Counseling Package on the Satisfaction and Sexual Intimacy of Iranian Couples

Introduction: Sexual satisfaction is considered one of the most important factors in marital happiness, and it plays a significant role in the health, well-being, and overall quality of life for individuals in a society. Therefore, the research aims to develop and assess the effectiveness of a counseling package based on the sexual communication model on the level of satisfaction and sexual intimacy in Iranian couples.Methods: The research was conducted using a mixed exploratory research design. Initially, qualitative methods were employed to identify the factors influencing couples' sexual exchange. Subsequently, a counseling package was developed based on these factors. For the purpose of quantitative validation, the relative content validity ratio and content validity index were utilized. In the next research phase, an applied and semi-experimental method with a pre-test and post-test design was employed, including a one-month follow-up with a control group. Data analysis was carried out using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the SPSS software version 26.Results: The results showed that the relative content validity coefficient and content validity index were higher than the required size (CVR≥49 and CVI≥79) and a valid counseling package was prepared. The results of the next stage also showed that the sexual communication pattern counseling package significantly increased sexual satisfaction (P<0.01) and sexual intimacy (P<0.01); the experimental group had a significant increase in sexual satisfaction and intimacy compared to the control group.Results: The results indicated that the content validity ratio and content validity index exceeded the required thresholds (CVR≥0.49 and CVI≥0.80), establishing the validity of the counseling package. Subsequently, the results of the next phase demonstrated that the sexual communication pattern counseling package significantly contributed to sexual satisfaction (P<0.01) and sexual intimacy (P<0.01). The experimental group exhibited a substantial increase in sexual satisfaction and intimacy compared to the control group.Conclusion: The counseling package based on the sexual communication pattern is valid and can lead to an increase in the sexual satisfaction and intimacy of Iranian couples

Developing a Causal Model to Predict the Stability of Marital Relationship in Couples who are Faced with Unfaithfulness

Background and Objective: Sustainable marriage is one of the broadest concepts for determining the level of happiness and satisfaction with the relationship. The present study aimed to develop a causal model for predicting the sustainability of couples who are faced with unfaithfulness. Materials and Methods: This study was of correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all married women and men facing unfaithfulness who lived in Bojnourd in 2017-2018. The study population included 203 married people who were randomly selected. To collect data, Walker & Thompson's Intimacy Scale, Gottman couples' confidence test, Gottman couples' sexual attractiveness evaluation, and Gottman couples' relationship stability were used. For data analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling were used in SPSS-22 and AMOS-22 software. Results: Increased level of couples’ trust with mean (SD) 143.8 (16.3), correlated with increased couples' intimacy with mean (SD) 5.8 (1.1) (P<0.01). Increased level of sexual attractiveness with mean (SD) 69.4 (10.9), correlated with increased stability of couples' relationships with mean (SD) 40.7 (6.1) (P<0.01). In addition, increased level the confidence of couples correlated with increased sexual attractiveness (P<0.01) and couples' relationship stability (P<0.05). Sexual attractiveness (P<0.01) and couples' relationship stability (P <0.01) increased with increasing couples’ intimacy. The direct effect of couples' trust on their intimacy was 0.38 and their sexual attractiveness 0.27. Moreover, the indirect effect of couples' trust on sexual attractiveness was 0.06 and the stability of the relationship 0.19. The total effect of trust on couples' intimacy were 0.38, sexual attractiveness 0.33, and the stability of couples’ relationship 0.19. Couples' trust, explained 17% of the changes in couples' relationships stability after disclosure of unfaithfulness by couples' intimacy and sexual attractiveness (R2= 0.17). Conclusion: The study showed that the intimacy of couples and sexual attraction played a significant intermediate role in the trust of couples and the sustainability of their relationships. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22037/ch.v5i4.2277

Cognitive emotional consequences of male infertility in their female partners: a qualitative content analysis

Introduction: Infertility, as a global phenomenon and one of the most important issues of reproductive health, affects women more often than men, even when the infertility is due to a male factor. The purpose of this study was to explore the cognitive emotional experiences of women faced with male infertility. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2014-2015 in Mashhad, Iran. The perceptions and experiences of healthy women whose husbands were diagnosed with primary male factor infertility were investigated using a qualitative content analysis approach. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling, and data collection was conducted using in-depth semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with MAXqda software. Study rigor was verified via criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba. Results: One main theme emerged through analysis entitled "cognitive emotional reactions confronting infertility diagnosis" with sub-themes of cognitive emotional reactions when confronted with male infertility diagnosis with subthemes of disbelief and denial, fear and apprehension, suffering and emotional distress, disappointment, frustration, confusion, and joy. Conclusion: The diagnosis of male infertility was associated with important emotional cognitive consequences for their female partners. Emotional support, providing new insights into how to treat the issue, and trying to shorten the process of diagnosis are necessary for these women. This kind of support could reduce the psychological effects of confrontation with the diagnosis of male infertility, including social insecurity for women

Women’s perceptions and experiences of the challenges in the process of male infertility treatment: A qualitative study

Background: Despite the fact that both men and women are equally subject to infertility, it is usually women who bear the burden of treatment and its consequences, even in cases of male infertility. Therefore, it is more necessary to recognize their health problems in order to help them. Aim: To explore women's perceptions and experiences of the challenges they face in the process of male infertility treatment. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted during 2014-2015 using content analysis. Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women whose husbands suffered from male infertility. Purposive sampling was conducted until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using conventional content analysis adopted by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: From data analysis, the major category of “treatment-related stresses” and four subcategories of “high treatment expenses”, “inefficiency of healthcare system”, “being captive in the infertility treatment” and “treatment failure” emerged. Conclusion: Experiences of women who face male infertility indicate their various concerns in the process of treatment. Therefore, it is required to develop emotional and financial support for the clients and to promote their quality of healthcare services. In addition, awareness of treatment challenges of these women can assist proper planning to promote the quality of services they need