Volume 30, Issue 2 (4-2023)
RJMS 2023, 30(2): 159-172 |
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Research code: IR.ALZAHRA.REC.1401.014
Ethics code: IR.ALZAHRA.REC.1401.014
Clinical trials code: IR.ALZAHRA.REC.1401.014
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Shoaakazemi M, Mollazadeh noran A, Jafari F. Sexual Dysfunction, Obsessive Behaviors, and Religious Orientation in Married Women. RJMS 2023; 30 (2) :159-172
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-7521-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-7521-en.html
Associate Professor, Department of Women and Family Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran , m.shkazemi@alzahra.ac.ir
Abstract: (877 Views)
Background & Aims: Throughout history, humans need to have sexual intercourse, at least in order to reproduce and perpetuate their offspring, so sexual activity has become an important aspect of human life(3). One of the most important philosophies in forming a married life is for a couple to come together to have tranquility and comfort. This comfort depends on some factors, one of the most obvious of which is healthy sex. Sex, a four-stage response cycle including sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and suppression, is a significant aspect of married life. Any disorder in one of these stages may interfere with a person's sexual function and lead to sexual dysfunction (4). In general, the main feature of sexual disorders is a disorder in the processes of the normal stages of sexual intercourse or pain that occurs during sexual intercourse. For each of these disorders, which occurs in the four stages of sexual activity, there are specific diagnostic criteria: the disorder in sexual activity must cause suffering and discomfort, affect the marital relationships, and be continuous and frequent (5). In a study, Froutan et al. (6). examined the sexual dysfunction of divorced couples. The results showed that 77% of women had sexual dysfunction, therefore even people successful in sex may have some problems in their sexual activity. Dosti and Vaziri(2018) (8) reported a high prevalence of the sexual disorder in their study and showed that sexual problems are a widespread health problem in women. Researchers believe that in order to better understand sexual activity and its development in humans, it is necessary to study all aspects of human beings including physical (such as genetics, hormones), mental (such as how one feels about oneself and others), social (the relationship between self and others) and spiritual aspects (such as religion, values, and beliefs) (10). Therefore, beliefs, attitudes, and religion are among the influential factors in the sexual behavior of individuals. In general, religious attitudes can be effective in marital relationships; because religion has guidelines, a system of beliefs and values that can affect marital life (11). Husseni nasab et al. (2018) evaluated the role of religion on marital relations and sexual activity as positive (12). Kamyabi niya et al. (2015) in their study showed that there is a positive and meaningful relationship between sex and religion. In other words, people with desirable sexual activity have a higher religious health score (13).
According to Allport and Ross theory, religious orientation which is based on two types; internal and external means the tendency to perform religious practices and thoughts (15). Internal religious orientation has a motivational aspect, organized, and internal principles and does not require other stimuli. External religious orientation is external and is a factor in satisfying personal needs such as status and security. External orientation is considered an immature or less mature religion (16). One of the other variables of the present research is a practical obsession. Studies have shown that obsessive disorder run in families (17). These obsessive-compulsive behaviors lead to considerable confusion and cause severe impairment in psychosocial functioning (18). Obsessive- compulsive behaviors are recurring and persistent thoughts, desires, or perceptions that are experienced as disturbing and unwanted; Practical obsessions, on the other hand, are repetitive behaviors or mental actions that a person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession or in accordance with rules that must be strictly enforced (18). In societies with high religious beliefs, obsessive thoughts are more prevalent. This indicates the role and relationship of religion with obsessive behaviors confirmed by various studies. Many studies have shown that external religious orientation is both directly and indirectly (through feelings of extreme responsibility and guilt) associated with signs of practical obsessive disorder (21). According to different research, one of the variables related to religious orientation is a practical obsession; therefore, in this study, we will consider the relationship between sexual dysfunction, obsessive behaviors, and religious orientation. A positive point of the present study is that unlike other studies that have dealt more with the relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and sexual dysfunction or the relationship between religious orientation and obsessive-compulsive disorder; the present study intends to investigate the relationship among all these three variables. Based on the results of this study, many marital differences and dissatisfaction can be reduced and family stability and continuity can be provided. In general, considering the effective nature of sexual disorders in various aspects of life, especially the importance of this issue on marital relationships, it seems necessary to identify the factors influencing sexual activity. One of these factors is the cultural values of the society e.g. religion. Considering the religious context of Iranian society, conducting research on the role of religious orientation in sexual function and practical obsessive behavior of women is very important; therefore, the main question of the present research is whether there is a meaningful relationship between sexual dysfunction, obsessive behaviors, and religious orientation of married women?
Methods: The present study is a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population of this study included all married female students of North Tehran Azad University in the academic year 2020-2021. According to the statistical sample based on Klein theory, in factor analysis, 10 or 20 samples are required for each variable, but the minimum sample size of 200 is defensible. 250 students of North Tehran Azad University were selected based on the available sampling method.
The ethics code of the present study is IR.ALZAHRA.REC.1401.014. Research instruments include the standard female sexual dysfunction questionnaire, the Allport Veras religious orientation questionnaire, and the standard Madzli obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire.
Results: The results show that the correlation coefficients between the dimensions of sexual dysfunction with the dimensions and the total score of obsessive behaviors are positive and significant (P≥0.01). Regression coefficients show that in the best predictive model for the dimensions and total score of marital satisfaction of couples, only the psychological dimension can predict the criterion variable. There is also a significant relationship between sexual dysfunction and its subscales with religious orientation (P≥0.01). Regression coefficients also show that both dimensions of religious orientation can predict sexual dysfunction (P <0.01). Religious orientation also has a significant relationship with obsessive behaviors in married women and predicts it (P <0.01).
Conclusion: According to the results, religious orientation is able to predict sexual dysfunction and obsessive behaviors. Other results indicate significant relationships between sexual dysfunction and obsessive-compulsive behaviors and religious orientation. In other words, religion as a coping factor can be associated with many psychological and behavioral disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and sexual dysfunction, and generally predict mental health in individuals. In other words, religion can play a positive role in reducing sexual dysfunction and obsessive behaviors, so it is necessary for psychologists to develop and implement educational programs to solve such kinds of problems, highlight the importance of religious orientation, and pay special attention to preventing and treatment programs.
According to Allport and Ross theory, religious orientation which is based on two types; internal and external means the tendency to perform religious practices and thoughts (15). Internal religious orientation has a motivational aspect, organized, and internal principles and does not require other stimuli. External religious orientation is external and is a factor in satisfying personal needs such as status and security. External orientation is considered an immature or less mature religion (16). One of the other variables of the present research is a practical obsession. Studies have shown that obsessive disorder run in families (17). These obsessive-compulsive behaviors lead to considerable confusion and cause severe impairment in psychosocial functioning (18). Obsessive- compulsive behaviors are recurring and persistent thoughts, desires, or perceptions that are experienced as disturbing and unwanted; Practical obsessions, on the other hand, are repetitive behaviors or mental actions that a person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession or in accordance with rules that must be strictly enforced (18). In societies with high religious beliefs, obsessive thoughts are more prevalent. This indicates the role and relationship of religion with obsessive behaviors confirmed by various studies. Many studies have shown that external religious orientation is both directly and indirectly (through feelings of extreme responsibility and guilt) associated with signs of practical obsessive disorder (21). According to different research, one of the variables related to religious orientation is a practical obsession; therefore, in this study, we will consider the relationship between sexual dysfunction, obsessive behaviors, and religious orientation. A positive point of the present study is that unlike other studies that have dealt more with the relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and sexual dysfunction or the relationship between religious orientation and obsessive-compulsive disorder; the present study intends to investigate the relationship among all these three variables. Based on the results of this study, many marital differences and dissatisfaction can be reduced and family stability and continuity can be provided. In general, considering the effective nature of sexual disorders in various aspects of life, especially the importance of this issue on marital relationships, it seems necessary to identify the factors influencing sexual activity. One of these factors is the cultural values of the society e.g. religion. Considering the religious context of Iranian society, conducting research on the role of religious orientation in sexual function and practical obsessive behavior of women is very important; therefore, the main question of the present research is whether there is a meaningful relationship between sexual dysfunction, obsessive behaviors, and religious orientation of married women?
Methods: The present study is a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population of this study included all married female students of North Tehran Azad University in the academic year 2020-2021. According to the statistical sample based on Klein theory, in factor analysis, 10 or 20 samples are required for each variable, but the minimum sample size of 200 is defensible. 250 students of North Tehran Azad University were selected based on the available sampling method.
The ethics code of the present study is IR.ALZAHRA.REC.1401.014. Research instruments include the standard female sexual dysfunction questionnaire, the Allport Veras religious orientation questionnaire, and the standard Madzli obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire.
Results: The results show that the correlation coefficients between the dimensions of sexual dysfunction with the dimensions and the total score of obsessive behaviors are positive and significant (P≥0.01). Regression coefficients show that in the best predictive model for the dimensions and total score of marital satisfaction of couples, only the psychological dimension can predict the criterion variable. There is also a significant relationship between sexual dysfunction and its subscales with religious orientation (P≥0.01). Regression coefficients also show that both dimensions of religious orientation can predict sexual dysfunction (P <0.01). Religious orientation also has a significant relationship with obsessive behaviors in married women and predicts it (P <0.01).
Conclusion: According to the results, religious orientation is able to predict sexual dysfunction and obsessive behaviors. Other results indicate significant relationships between sexual dysfunction and obsessive-compulsive behaviors and religious orientation. In other words, religion as a coping factor can be associated with many psychological and behavioral disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and sexual dysfunction, and generally predict mental health in individuals. In other words, religion can play a positive role in reducing sexual dysfunction and obsessive behaviors, so it is necessary for psychologists to develop and implement educational programs to solve such kinds of problems, highlight the importance of religious orientation, and pay special attention to preventing and treatment programs.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Clinical Psychiatry
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