The Efficacy of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy on Self-efficacy, Body Image Concerns, and Couple Burnout in Women with Sexual Dysfunction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

2 Ph.D. of Clinical Psychology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran

3 Master of Clinical Psychology, Department of psychology, Ardabil branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran

4 Master of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran

5 Ph.D. Candidate in Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.22098/jfrs.2024.15277.1194

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) in addressing self-efficacy, body image concerns, and couple burnout among women experiencing sexual dysfunction.

Methods: The study utilized a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The target population consisted of women diagnosed with sexual dysfunction in Ardabil City in 2024. Purposive sampling was employed to select 34 participants, divided equally into experimental (n=17) and control (n=17) groups. The experimental group participated in nine 90-minute Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data collection involved administering several measures: the Female Sexual Function Index, General Self-efficacy Scale, Body Image Concern Inventory, and Couple Burnout Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-27.

Results: The findings demonstrated significant improvements in several domains among women receiving EFT compared to the control group. Specifically, EFT led to substantial decreases in body image concerns (F=60.62), physical exhaustion (F=71.82), emotional exhaustion (F=44.34), and mental exhaustion (F=54.22), alongside notable increases in self-efficacy (F=59.40) (P<0.001).

Conclusion: These results underscore the importance of integrating therapeutic approaches that consider both individual and relational dynamics in the treatment of sexual dysfunction.

Keywords



Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 24 August 2024
  • Receive Date: 15 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 23 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 24 August 2024