Sexual Self-efficacy Research Articles

The effectiveness of schema therapy on sexual self-efficacy, marital satisfaction and early maladaptive schemas in couples with marital conflicts

Abstract Introduction:The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of schema therapy on sexual self-efficacy, marital satisfaction and early maladaptive schemas in couples with marital conflict. Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test, follow-up and control group. The statistical population of the study included women referring to counseling clinics in Rasht. The sampling method was simple screening and random in which 30 people were selected and equally divided into experimental and control groups. Data collection tools were Vaziri and Lotfi Kashani Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale (2013), Enrich Marital Satisfaction (Favers and Olson, 1989), the short version of Young's Early maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire (1989) and the Sanai and Barati Marital Conflict Scale (2000). After the pretest, the treatment schema was performed for the experimental group and the control group was placed on a waiting list without receiving any medical intervention. Results: Data analysis using analysis of covariance showed that schema therapy is effective on sexual self-efficacy, marital satisfaction and early maladaptive schemas in couples with marital conflicts (p <0.05). Conclusion: Schema therapy can be considered by combining couple therapy in designing treatment courses as well as making decisions in order to strengthen the family in counseling and family therapy centers. Key words: Schema therapy, sexual self-efficacy, marital satisfaction, early maladaptive schemas, marital conflict

Disordered Eating and Body Dissatisfaction Associated with Sexual Concerns in Undergraduate Women

While research has shown an association between eating disorders and sexual dysfunction, few studies have examined the association between disordered eating and sexuality in non-clinical samples. Here we measured self-reported symptoms of disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, and psychological features characteristic of eating disorders in relation to sexual difficulties among a sample of n = 656 (mean age = 20.59 years) undergraduate women. Disordered eating symptoms were associated with sexual distress, sexual function problems, more cognitive distractions during sexual activity, and poorer sexual self-efficacy. Psychological features characteristic of those with an eating disorder were found to mediate the association between disordered eating and sexual concerns. These findings suggest that eating concerns are associated with sexual difficulties even among women without an eating disorder diagnosis. Further, results highlight the importance of assessing eating disorder symptoms and body dissatisfaction among those seeking treatment for sexual concerns.

Reducing HIV/STI Risk Among Adolescents Aged 12 to 14 Years: a Randomized Controlled Trial of Project Prepared

Despite calls for evidence-based HIV/STI prevention programs for youth aged 12 to 14 transitioning to adolescence, few effective programs exist. In a two-group intent-to-treat randomized trial in the Bronx, NY, 397 participants were randomly assigned to Project Prepared or an attention control, TEEN. Participants completed surveys at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Prepared had two components, an 11-session program and a 3-week internship. Content covered sexual risk behavior, social cognitions, gender norms, relationships, and resilience. TEEN built communication skills and had the same intensity and structure as Prepared but no sexual content. In both, boys and girls were trained together in mixed groups of ~ 11 teens. Primary outcomes were HIV knowledge, self-efficacy, condom outcome expectancy, and behavioral intentions. Secondary outcomes were relationship expectations and endorsement of risky gender norms. Generalized estimating equation analyses showed youth randomized to Prepared had significant improvements compared to TEEN at T2 in HIV knowledge, sexual self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy for condom use. At T3, there were significant differences favoring Prepared in outcome expectancy for condom use, sexual self-efficacy, and intention for partner communication about HIV/AIDS or STIs. Analyses by gender showed program effects in both boys (intention to talk to a partner about condom use, abstinence self-efficacy, sexual self-efficacy, and condom outcome expectancy) and girls (gender norms, and abstinence outcome expectancy). Prepared effectively reduced risk in young adolescents. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01880450, Protocol ID: 2008-551

Using an Intersectional Framework to Understand the Challenges of Adopting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Young Adult Black Women.

There is limited functional knowledge and utilization of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young adult Black cisgender women (YBW). We conducted four focus groups with YBW using an intersectional framework to explore multiple levels of factors that impede YBW awareness, interest, and utilization of PrEP in conjunction with their sexual and reproductive healthcare needs. Influences at the cultural-environmental level included a lack of information and resources to access to PrEP and medical mistrust in the healthcare system. At the social normative level, influences included attitudes towards the long-term effects on sexual and reproductive health and self-efficacy to follow the PrEP regimen. At the proximal intrapersonal level, influences included anticipated HIV stigma from family and peers along with the fear of rejection from their main partners. Translation of these results indicated that interventions to increase PrEP utilization and adherence among YBW will require multi-level strategies to address barriers to integrating HIV prevention into sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Evaluation of sexual self-efficacy and sexual function in women with multiple sclerosis in Mashhad, Iran, in 2019: A cross-sectional study

Background: In chronic illnesses, sexual dysfunction (SD) is one of the most prevalent complaints. Sexual self-efficacy (SSE) is an individual’s beliefs about his/her ability to perform an effective sexual function and be favorable to their partner. The aim of the present study was to assess SSE and sexual function in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2019 on 260 married women referring to the MS clinic and MS society of Khorasan-Razavi in Mashhad, Iran. The research population was selected using convenience sampling. The Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ), Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire‎-19 (MSISQ-19), and the Female Sexual Function Index‎ (FSFI)‎ were completed by the participants who had the inclusion criteria. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient in SPSS software. Results: The participants had a mean age of 35.2 ± 8.4 years and their mean duration of MS was 4.46 ± 3.71 years. The findings showed a negative correlation between SSE and SD (r = -0.606; P = 0.001) and a positive correlation between SSE and sexual function (r = 0.644; P = 0.001). Moreover, MSISQ-19 and FSFI scores supported each other (r = -0.675; P = 0.001). Conclusion: SD is prevalent among women with MS. Moreover, sexual function is substantially associated with SSE in these women.

Sexual dissatisfaction and sexual self-efficacy: an examination of the role of sexual self-confidence as a mediator

Background and objective: Many concepts related to sexual dissatisfaction are discussed here. Two of these concepts are sexual self-confidence and sexual self-efficacy. The main aim of this research is to explore the mediation effect of sexual self-confidence on the relationship between sexual self-efficacy and sexual dissatisfaction. Methods: This research was carried out with the relational screening model. In this context, sexual self-efficacy, sexual dissatisfaction, and sexual self-confidence were examined with the Pearson correlation coefficient and mediation analysis. Results: The results of the correlation analysis demonstrated that sexual self-confidence and sexual self-efficacy are significantly related to sexual dissatisfaction. Before the mediation analysis was carried out, the sexual self-efficacy meaningfully predicts sexual dissatisfaction in the first regression model. The mediation analysis proved that sexual self-confidence has a mediation role in the relationship between sexual self-efficacy and sexual dissatisfaction. Conclusion: It is thought that sexual self-confidence is a more important factor for men's sexual satisfaction or dissatisfaction than is sexual self-efficacy.

The Association between Sexual Self-Efficacy and the Quality of Life among Menopausal Women.

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to determine the association between sexual self-efficacy (SSE) and quality of life (QOL) among menopausal women.MethodsIn this analytical cross-sectional study, 558 menopausal women were enrolled. Consecutive and available sampling was performed for the sample collection. The instruments used for data collection included a three-part questionnaire consisting of demographic information, Menopausal-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), and SSE questionnaire.ResultsOverall, the maximum and minimum scores of SSE were related to sexual desire (2.88 ± 0.60) and orgasm (0.85 ± 0.17). The highest and lowest scores of QOL were related to psychosocial (4.14 ± 1.24) and sexual activity (3.03 ± 1.74) domains. A significant correlation was observed between the QOL and the domains of SSE (P < 0.001). The maximum and minimum correlation of QOL were related to sexual desire (P < 0.001, r = 0.030) and orgasm (P < 0.001, r = 0.108), respectively. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the SSE score and all domains of QOL except for the vasomotor domain. With regard to the SSE score, the maximum association was found with the sexual activity score (P < 0.001, r = 0.466).ConclusionsBased on the findings of this study, a significant direct correlation was observed between the QOL and SSE of menopausal women. Thus, further research and developing education and consultation as intervention programs for enhancing SSE can promote the QOL among women.

Social self-efficacy and sexual communication among adolescents in the United States: a cross-sectional study.

Data were collected in a cross-sectional survey from 222 high school girls in a rural school district in the south-eastern United States (Mage = 15.2; 38% White, 29% Latina, 24% Black; 50% were in a dating relationship in the past 3 months). Variables were measured with Likert-type scales. Bivariate correlation and regression analyses were conducted. Social self-efficacy was significantly positively associated with sexual assertiveness and sexual communication self-efficacy for all girls, and there was a positive trend in the relationship between social self-efficacy and communication frequency among the subsample of girls who had a dating partner. The significant relationship with sexual assertiveness (β = 0.22, s.e. = 0.07, P = 0.001) and sexual communication self-efficacy (β = 0.17, s.e. = 0.04, P = 0.013) remained when controlling for sexual activity status. Strengthening social self-efficacy may enhance girls' sexual communication and assertiveness skills. Future studies are needed to confirm the causal and temporal nature of these associations.

Psychosocial Factors as Determinants of Sexual Well-being of Female Teenagers in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

As sexual well-being of female teenager becomes a major concern for the public, it is necessary to look at some factors that may affect the development of positive or negative sexual behavior for the right girl-child education. This study thus, examined the psychosocial factors as determinants of sexual well-being of female teenagers in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used for the study and a sample of 200 respondents was purposively selected. Sexual well-being, Self-efficacy, Emotional intelligence, Family environment, Peer influence and Social Media Questionnaire (SSEFPSQ) are adopted as the research instruments. Data collected were analyzed using Multiple Regression Analysis. The study established that there is a significant joint contribution of the Independent variables (F (6, 193) = 176.763, P0.01) to the prediction of sexual well-being. It also established that there is a significant relative contribution of the independent variable to the prediction of sexual well-being of female teenagers in Ibadan North Local Government Area with self-efficacy (Beta = .725, t= 4.809, P0.01), as the most potent factor followed by Family environment (Beta = .337, t= 2.798, P0.01), emotional intelligence (Beta = .280, t= 4.253, P0.01), and social media (Beta = -.396, t= -3.539, P0.05). The study shows that it is important for the public, parents and care providers to understand factors that affect teenagers’ sexual well-being: parental background, parenting, social pressure, etc. To this end, the public must be enlightened about the sensitivity of female sex welfare, parents must not only be educated about the impact of family factors on sexual welfare of female adolescents, but also require proper sex education for teachers, parents, and mental and social intervention to elaborate on it.

Efficacy of a multimedia intervention in facilitating breast cancer patients' clinical communication about sexual health: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

Many women with breast cancer (BC) hesitate to raise sexual concerns clinically. We evaluated a multimedia intervention to facilitate BC patients' communication about sexual/menopausal health, called Starting the Conversation (STC). Female BC patients (N=144) were randomly assigned to either STC (20-min video, workbook, and resource guide) or control (resource guide only). Audio-recorded dialogue from patients' next oncology clinic encounter was coded for patients' sexual health communication. Self-report surveys assessed patients' beliefs about sexual health communication, self-efficacy for clinical interactions, sexual function/activity, anxiety/depression symptoms, and quality of life at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up. T-tests or mixed-effects logistic regression compared study arms. Women in the STC arm were more likely to raise the topic of sexual health (51%; OR=2.62 [1.02, 6.69], p=0.04) and ask a sexual health question (40%; OR=2.85 [1.27, 6.38], p=0.01) during their clinic encounter than those in the control arm (30% and 19% for raise and ask, respectively). At follow-up, women in the STC arm showed greater improvements in sexual health communication self-efficacy (p=0.009) and in anxiety symptoms (p=0.03), and more women were sexually active at follow-up, compared to the control arm (OR=1.5, 70% vs. 46%, p=0.04). The STC intervention facilitated women's clinical communication about sexual health and reduced women's anxiety, possibly due to increased confidence in expressing their medical needs. Helpful information gained from clinical discussions could have improved women's willingness or ability to engage in sexual activity. Future studies should identify aspects of the clinical encounter most critical to improving women's sexual outcomes.

Promoting the Sexual Self-efficacy of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth through a Group Intervention

The current study examined the efficacy of an affirmative group cognitive behavioral intervention on the sexual self-efficacy level of sexual and gender minority youths (SGMY). SGMY (n=30) between the age of 15 and 18 participated in a series of eight cognitive behavioral-focused groups. They also completed measures on sexual self-efficacy before and after the intervention. Paired sample t-test was chosen as method of analysis. The results indicated a statistically significant increase in protection sexual self-efficacy but not in abstinence sexual self-efficacy post intervention.The current study concluded that affirmative groups that utilize cognitive behavioral therapy show promise for SGMY. Group content and process is detailed, and key components of groups designed to improve the sexual health of SGMY are discussed.

Sexuality Education Intervention for Parents of Children With Disabilities: A Pilot Training Program

The purpose of the study is to evaluate pilot sexuality education intervention for parents of children with disabilities between ages of 6 and 25 years old. A within subjects design was utilized and 15 parents of children with disabilities were recruited to receive a two-week sexuality education without a control group. A paired-samples t-test results showed that there was a significant difference between the participants' pre-test and post intervention scores in their: attitude and beliefs, sexual communication, knowledge, and self-efficacy of sexuality education among children with disabilities (all p<.001). The intervention change the participants sexual communication behavior and increased knowledge about sexuality education with children with disabilities.

The effect of a psycho-educational intervention on sexuality of women with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often have sexual dysfunction, and difficulty with sexual adjustment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PLLISIT sexual counseling on sexual function, self-perception and adjustment of women with ACS patients. A total of 34 women aged 30–65 years with acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received three sessions of one-hour PLLISIT-based sexual counseling and the control group received routine care. Female sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Sexual Self-Perception and Adjustment Questionnaire (SSPAQ) were used at baseline, one month and 3 months later for evaluation. There was no significant difference in FSFI and SSPAQ scores at baseline between the two groups. However, three months after intervention, both mean FSFI and SSPAQ scores rose significantly in intervention group (P = 0.022). Subscales of sexual desire, subjective arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction in FSFI as well as sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual satisfaction in SSPAQ also showed significant improvement after intervention. Considering the effectiveness of PLLISIT-based sexual counseling on sexual function and sexual adjustment in our patient with ACS, this intervention can be used to improve sexuality in these women.

Psychological and Interpersonal Factors Associated with Sexualized Drug Use Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.

Chemsex-the use of specific drugsduring planned sexual activity to sustain or enhance sexual functioning (Bourne et al., 2015)-is widely reported as a major public health issue among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Western countries. Considering current evidence surrounding Chemsex, we conducted a mixed-methods systematic review regarding psychological and interpersonal factors associated with Chemsex behaviors among GBM. Publications covering Chemsex and psychological or social variables were eligible. Theoretical papers and studies solely presenting physical health outcomes were excluded. 35 English papers published between January 2008 and June 2019 were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO. We performed a parallel-results convergent synthesis (Hong, Pluye, Bujold, & Wassef, 2017) on results extracted from qualitative and quantitative studies comprising the final corpus. Qualitative data suggest that six mechanisms promote Chemsex-related behaviors: dealing with painful emotions or stressful events; normalization and risk minimization of sexualized drug use; giving into interpersonal pressure or fulfilling desire for community belonging; increasing intimacy or connectedness; enhancing sexual performance and functioning; lessening interpersonal and sexual inhibitions. In quantitative reports, six variable categories emerged: sexual control and self-efficacy; sexual functioning; mental health; attitudes toward substance use; life stressors and internalized stressors; and identification with sexual identities or scenes. This review summarizes key psychological and interpersonal correlates of Chemsex among GBM. Further research is needed to replicate current findings and explore new hypotheses across multiple GBM sociodemographic groups and cultural contexts, following best practices in sampling for hard-to-reach populations.

The Correlation between Perceived Peer Norms in Attitude and Self-Efficacy Premarital Sexual Behavior

Background and Aims: Adolescence is a period of life in which high-risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, put the adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This research aimed at studying the relationship between peers' perception of sexual behavior and adolescents' attitudes and self-efficacy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used a multi-stage method to examine 1500 subjects in the universities of Shahroud, Iran. The questionnaires were consisted of sexual abstinence attitude, abstinence self-efficacy and peer subjective norms. To ensure the confidentiality of information, the questionnaire was distributed among 1500 students in six universities anonymously, and students҆ field of study was not mentioned. The collected data was analyzed with descriptive (Mean, Percent) and inferential tests (independent t-test, chi2, and Spearman test) using SPSS 18 software. Results: The mean age of the females was 20.26±1.49, and that of males was 20.32±1.575. 59.3% of male students and 86.8% of female students had poor sexual abstinence to sex before marriage. Moreover, the sexual abstinence self-efficacy of 29% of male students and 13.1% of female students, regarding the sexual abstinence before marriage, was strong. Findings showed that the more one believes in his/her abilities in sexual abstinence, the more they believe that their friends will not be involved in sex Conclusion: It is required to provide the opportunities to learn and correct the socio-emotional skills required for physical and sexual health in relationships through social interactions with peers. In this context, the reproductive health programs need to be prioritized in the youth health programs and schools

Increasing Sexual Self-Efficacy Among College Students Through Telehealth Consultation: A Case Management Approach

Increasing Sexual Self-Efficacy Among College Students Through Telehealth Consultation: A Case Management Approach

Increasing Sexual Self-Efficacy Among College Students Through Telehealth Consultation: A Case Management Approach

Increasing Sexual Self-Efficacy Among College Students Through Telehealth Consultation: A Case Management Approach

Evaluating sexual self-consciousness, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual functions of older people

This descriptive study evaluated the sexual self-consciousness, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual function of older people in Adana, Yüreğir between June 10 and September 10, 2019. The study sought to include a minimum of 380 older people based on stratified sampling. The study sample included 381 older people who agreeing to participate, married, and aged 65 years and above. Those who had communication difficulty, used psychotropic drugs, or had mental disorders were excluded from the study. Study data were collected using the Personel Information Form, Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale, Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale, and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. Study findings were evaluated using IBM SPSS Statistics 18 (IBM SPSS, Turkey) for statistical analysis. Study data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis analysis, Post-hoc test, and Spearman’s Correlation analysis. The significance level was evaluated at p < 0.05. The total median value for the Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale and Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale were 26 and 38, respectively. The total median value for the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale was 25 for females, 17 for males. These results indicate that older people have sexual embarrassment, a high level of sexual self-efficacy, and most have sexual dysfunctionality. There was a positive weak correlation between ASEX-Female and Sexual Self_Conciousness Scale scores. There was a negative weak correlation between ASEX-Female and Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale scores.

The Indirect Effects of Thinspiration and Fitspiration Images on Young Women’s Sexual Attitudes

Applying the sociocultural theory and the objectification theory, this experiment examined the indirect effects of inspirational Instagram images (i.e., fitspiration and thinspiration) on young women’s sexual attitudes. A post-test only between-subjects design with three experimental conditions (i.e., fitspiration, thinspiration, and control images) was conducted with female college students ( N = 221). The results supported the sociocultural theory, revealing that viewing inspirational Instagram images led to higher appearance comparison and greater body dissatisfaction, respectively, which, in turn, predicted lower sexual self-efficacy and greater sexual self-consciousness. Testing a new theoretical model combining the sociocultural theory components and self-objectification reported a significant causal mediating chain of appearance comparison, self-objectification, and body dissatisfaction, respectively, in the relationship between viewing inspirational Instagram images and sexual attitudes (i.e., lower sexual self-efficacy and greater sexual self-consciousness). The indirect effect sizes of fitspiration were larger than those of thinspiration. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on sexual function and sexual self-efficacy in pregnant women: An RCT.

BackgroundCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the ways to improve an undesirable sexual function.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CBT on the sexual function and sexual self-efficacy of pregnant women.Materials and Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 36 pregnant women referred to five healthcare centers in Ahvaz, Iran, from December 2016 to January 2017 were enrolled through stratified random sampling in two groups. The case group received counseling based on cognitive behavioral therapy for eight consecutive weeks and the control group received the routine training provided by healthcare staff. Two and four weeks after the end of sessions, both groups completed the Female Sexual Function Index and self-efficacy questionnaires again.ResultsThe mean of sexual function and self-efficacy scores in pregnant women in the case and control groups before the intervention did not show a significant difference (p = 0.56). The mean of sexual function and self-efficacy scores of pregnant women in the case and control groups was statistically significant two and four weeks, respectively, after the intervention (p 0.0001).ConclusionThe results of this study showed that counseling based on CBT in comparison with the routine training during pregnancy improves the sexual performance and self-efficacy of pregnant women.