The Effect of Sexual Assertiveness Training on Marital Satisfaction and Happiness of Azari Women: A Semi-experimental Study

Abstract

Background. Sexual assertiveness is defined as a psychosocial feeling about an individual’s interpretation of how to express her/her feelings in marital relationships. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of sexual assertiveness training on marital satisfaction and happiness of women referring to Tabriz health centers in 2021. Methods. This semi-experimental study was conducted on 66 women of reproductive age, referring to the health centers in Tabriz, Iran. The participants who obtained a Hulbert sexual assertiveness score of less than 33 were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The data were collected using an eligibility checklist (inclusion/exclusion criteria), a demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Halbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness (HISA), the Larson Sexual Satisfaction (LSS) scale, and the Marital Happiness Scale (MHS). The educational intervention of HISA was held in three sessions lasting 60-90 minutes. Eventually, the participants completed HISA, LSS, and MHS questionnaires before and after the intervention. Results. The findings of the present study indicated a significant difference between the mean scores of HISA, LSS, and MHS in the post-intervention stage between the two groups (P=0.001). Conclusion. Given the positive effect of sexual assertiveness training on women’s sexual satisfaction and marital happiness, it is recommended that these simple and low-cost educational interventions be considered to improve the mental and sexual status of women. Practical Implications. Sexual assertiveness education program improved sexual satisfaction and marital happiness. It is recommended to apply these simple and low-cost educational interventions to improve the mental and sexual status of women.

Keywords

• education
• marital happiness
• sexual assertiveness
• sexual satisfaction