1- University of Science and Culture
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Science and Culture,
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Science and Culture,
Abstract: (109 Views)
Background & Objective: The quality of intimate relationships has a significant impact on the continuity and sustainability of life, overall well-being, and quality of life of individuals. Sexual interactions are generally considered an inseparable part of intimate and loving relationships.
Emotional partners may engage in sexual activities for various reasons and to meet different needs, whether for intimacy, pleasure, or avoidance of rejection. In some cases, sexual interactions in couples' relationships may be fraught with tension and conflict.
In recent years, researchers have increasingly been interested in examining and understanding various factors related to marital issues, including sexual disorders, emotional dissatisfaction, and overall violence and sexual coercion, which can impact individuals' ability to function better in romantic relationships and be satisfying.
Determining the effective mechanisms on marital relations leads to maintaining the foundation of the family. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion in intimate relationships with the mediating role of sexual awareness in married women in Tehran.
Methods: The research method was descriptive-analytical and used structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of married women in Tehran in 2023, among whom 440 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. They responded to the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (Schmidt, Joiner, Young, & Telch, 1998), Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale (Shackelford & Goetz, 2004), and Sexual Awareness Scale (Snell Jr, Fisher, & Miller, 1991). Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnarie-Short Form is a 75-item instrument that assesses the extent to which an individual retains particular early maladaptive (cognitive) schemas. The 75 items are grouped into 15 subscales، each consisting of 5 items intended to measure a specific EMS. Schmidt et al. reported an average alpha coefficient of 0.86 for scores from the EMSQ. For the current study، alpha coefficients for EMSQ-SF subscale scores ranged from 0.71 to 0.93 (mean alpha= 0.83، SD=0.06).
Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale is a 34-item. Alpha Reliability In all studies in the SCIRS, reliabilities for the three components (Resource Manipulation/Violence, Commitment Manipulation, and Defection Threat) and the total scale were 0.92, 0.91, 0.95, and 0.96، respectively، in the development and initial validation of the SCIRS.
Sexual Awareness Questionnaire is a 36-item. All four subscales of The Sexual Awareness Questionnaire had clearly acceptable levels of reliability. In Sample I the alphas were: for sexual consciousness, alpha = .83 for males and .86 for females; for sexual monitoring, alpha = .80 for males and .82 for females; for sex-appeal consciousness, alpha = .89 for males and .92 for females; and for sexual assertiveness, alpha = .83 for males and .81 for females.
Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation coefficient and the bootstrap method with structural equation modeling in SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24 software. The significance level of the tests was set at alpha=0.05.
Results: The results showed that sexual awareness acts as a relative mediating variable between initial maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion in married women in intimate relationships. There was also a positive relationship between initial maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion (p-value=0.02. B=0.13). The relationship between initial maladaptive schemas and sexual awareness was negative, as well as the relationship between sexual awareness and sexual coercion. )B= -0.18،p-value=0.002( )B= -0.18، p-value<0.001)
Conclusion:
Based on research results, sexual awareness acts as a partial mediator in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion in intimate relationships, and sexual consciousness acts as a complete mediator in this relationship. Moreover, increasing sexual knowledge and awareness can reduce sexual coercion and psychological damages among couples, especially married women..
Emotional partners may engage in sexual activities for various reasons and to meet different needs, whether for intimacy, pleasure, or avoidance of rejection. In some cases, sexual interactions in couples' relationships may be fraught with tension and conflict.
In recent years, researchers have increasingly been interested in examining and understanding various factors related to marital issues, including sexual disorders, emotional dissatisfaction, and overall violence and sexual coercion, which can impact individuals' ability to function better in romantic relationships and be satisfying.
Determining the effective mechanisms on marital relations leads to maintaining the foundation of the family. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion in intimate relationships with the mediating role of sexual awareness in married women in Tehran.
Methods: The research method was descriptive-analytical and used structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of married women in Tehran in 2023, among whom 440 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. They responded to the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (Schmidt, Joiner, Young, & Telch, 1998), Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale (Shackelford & Goetz, 2004), and Sexual Awareness Scale (Snell Jr, Fisher, & Miller, 1991). Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnarie-Short Form is a 75-item instrument that assesses the extent to which an individual retains particular early maladaptive (cognitive) schemas. The 75 items are grouped into 15 subscales، each consisting of 5 items intended to measure a specific EMS. Schmidt et al. reported an average alpha coefficient of 0.86 for scores from the EMSQ. For the current study، alpha coefficients for EMSQ-SF subscale scores ranged from 0.71 to 0.93 (mean alpha= 0.83، SD=0.06).
Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale is a 34-item. Alpha Reliability In all studies in the SCIRS, reliabilities for the three components (Resource Manipulation/Violence, Commitment Manipulation, and Defection Threat) and the total scale were 0.92, 0.91, 0.95, and 0.96، respectively، in the development and initial validation of the SCIRS.
Sexual Awareness Questionnaire is a 36-item. All four subscales of The Sexual Awareness Questionnaire had clearly acceptable levels of reliability. In Sample I the alphas were: for sexual consciousness, alpha = .83 for males and .86 for females; for sexual monitoring, alpha = .80 for males and .82 for females; for sex-appeal consciousness, alpha = .89 for males and .92 for females; and for sexual assertiveness, alpha = .83 for males and .81 for females.
Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation coefficient and the bootstrap method with structural equation modeling in SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24 software. The significance level of the tests was set at alpha=0.05.
Results: The results showed that sexual awareness acts as a relative mediating variable between initial maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion in married women in intimate relationships. There was also a positive relationship between initial maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion (p-value=0.02. B=0.13). The relationship between initial maladaptive schemas and sexual awareness was negative, as well as the relationship between sexual awareness and sexual coercion. )B= -0.18،p-value=0.002( )B= -0.18، p-value<0.001)
Conclusion:
Based on research results, sexual awareness acts as a partial mediator in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and sexual coercion in intimate relationships, and sexual consciousness acts as a complete mediator in this relationship. Moreover, increasing sexual knowledge and awareness can reduce sexual coercion and psychological damages among couples, especially married women..
Keywords: Early maladaptive schemas, Sexual coercion in intimate relationship, Sexual awareness, Married women.
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Psychology
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