Effect of Group AssertivenessBased Sexual Counseling on Marital Satisfaction among Female University Students

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual assertiveness is one of the factor affecting sexual performance as well as the satisfaction and quality of marital relationship. Aim: To determine the effect of assertiveness-based sexual group counseling on the marital satisfaction of female university students. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 married female students in the academic year of 2016-2017. The eligible students were selected and randomly allocated to two groups of intervention (n=40) and control (n=40). The intervention group received total 4 session of group sexual assertiveness counseling in 2 week time and each session was of 2 hours. After 12 weeks, the data were collected using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale. The total scores obtained from the scale were converted into a value ranging between 0 and 100. To analyze the data, independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-square test, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were run in SPSS, version 21. Results: No significant difference was observed between the control and intervention groups in terms of demographic characteristics. However, after the intervention, the mean marital satisfaction score of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Group sexual assertiveness counseling had a positive effect on the marital satisfaction of female students. Therefore, it is recommended to integrate this intervention with premarital counseling programs, especially in cultures where females have a low sexual assertiveness.

Keywords

• assertiveness
• counseling
• personal satisfaction
• sexual behaviour