Exploring the Structural relationship Between Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs, Marital Satisfaction, and Sexual Well-Being in Iranian Women: The Role of Cognitive Schemas

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexually dysfunctional beliefs, sexual well-being, and marital satisfaction among Iranian married women. The study also explored the potential mediating role of sexual cognitive schemas. The participants were 355 Iranian married women aged 18 to 65 years who completed a battery of self-report measures to collect data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses, and mediation analyses were conducted to examine the indirect effects of sexual dysfunctional beliefs and sexual cognitive schemas on marital satisfaction through sexual well-being. The findings indicated that sexual dysfunctional beliefs had a negative impact on sexual well-being and marital satisfaction among Iranian married women. Sexual cognitive schemas played a mediating role in this relationship, highlighting the importance of addressing negative and unrealistic sexual beliefs and promoting positive and healthy sexual cognitive schemas for improving sexual and relational outcomes. The study sheds light on the cultural and societal factors influencing sexual attitudes and behaviors among Iranian women, highlighting the need to address these factors in interventions aimed at improving sexual and relational outcomes.