Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on ineffective sexual attitudes and sexual function in pregnant women

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.

2 professors of psychology department, Islamic Azad University, Sari branch, Sari, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
Introduction: Pregnancy is one of the most risky periods of women's life and healthy sexual attitudes and relationships during pregnancy play a crucial role in marital adjustment and family solidarity. Due to the limited studies in this area, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on improving sexual dysfunctional attitudes and sexual function in pregnant women.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on quasi-experimental designs with pretest-posttest group. The statistical population of this study consisted of pregnant women referring to the Childbirth readiness classes in Sari city in the first 6 months of 1397, which resulted in the number of 140 people, and the sample of this study was 30 people who were randomly selected and random assignment in two groups of 15. The tool used in this study consisted of an inefficient attitude scale questionnaire (DAS) and Beck (1978), sex performance questionnaire Rosen et al, (2000). The therapeutic intervention (the acceptance and commitment approach) was performed on the test group during 8 session of the 90 - minute session and every week. The control group did not receive any training. To test the hypotheses, the covariance analysis test was used.
Results: The results showed that the independent variable had an impact on improving sexual performance attitudes and improving the sex performance of pregnant women (P < 0.05 and F = 53.99) and the effect of effect for sexual performance was 86 % (P = 0.05 and F = 57.45).
Conclusion: With regard to the results of the present study, it is recommended that clinicians be based on acceptance and commitment by specialists to train in maternity preparation classes and health centers to improve the dysfunctional attitudes of sexual and sexual performance.

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