Effectiveness of Group Psychosexual Training for Marital Adjustment and Sexual Self-Efficacy of Infertile Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sara Banaha; Hajar Pasha; Afsaneh Bakhtiari; Shabnam Omidvar; Fereshteh Behmanesh; Mahbobeh Faramarzi; Sedigheh Esmailzadeh

doi:10.18502/ijps.v18i3.13004

Sara Banaha Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Hajar Pasha Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Afsaneh Bakhtiari Motion Disorder Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Shabnam Omidvar Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Fereshteh Behmanesh Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Mahbobeh Faramarzi Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Sedigheh Esmailzadeh Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v18i3.13004

Keywords: Adjustment; Infertility; Marital Relationship; Sexual Health; Self Efficacy; Sex Education

Abstract

Objective: Infertility can be associated with unfavorable psychological consequences such as a sense of marital incompatibility and sexual inadequacy. To address these issues, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of group psycho-sexual training in improving marital adjustment and sexual self-efficacy of infertile women.

Method: A randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) study was conducted in Babol, Iran, with 72 infertile women, randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 36) or the control group (n = 36). The intervention group underwent psychosexual training, while the control group received routine care. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale (SSES) were used to assess their marital adjustment and sexual self-efficacy. Data analysis was performed using various tests, including the independent t-test, Chi-squared test, paired t-test, ANCOVA, and MANCOVA.

Results: Most infertile women had moderate sexual self-efficacy (80%). The intervention group had a significantly better response to group psycho-sexual training compared to the control group. This intervention improved sexual self-efficacy and marital adjustment and its subscales including marital consensus, satisfaction, cohesion (P < 0.0001), and affectional expression (P < 0.001). The mean pre-to-post treatment scores of sexual self- efficacy, marital adjustment, and its subscales increased significantly in the intervention group, while no significant difference was observed in the control group (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended to provide educational services alongside the infertility treatment process for enhancing the quality of marital adjustment and promoting sexual self-efficacy.