Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infertility is one of the most important challenges in the modern life that can damage
the sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of couples. The present study was aimed to investigate
the effectiveness of reality therapy on sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi‑experimental study was conducted with a pretest‑posttest
design and follow‑up. The statistical population was infertile women who were referred to Imam Sajjad
Shahriyar Hospital in 2019–2020. 15 infertile women selected by purposive sampling and underwent
reality therapy (8 sessions of 90 min). Data were collected using index sexual satisfaction (ISS) and
marital intimacy questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS‑24 software, analysis of
variance with repeated measures and post hoc Bonferroni test.
RESULTS: The results of analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between
the scores of sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy in posttest and follow‑up stages compared to
pretest (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, reality therapy can be used as an effective intervention to
improvement sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women.
Keywords
1. CapalboA, PoliM, Riera‑EscamillaA, ShuklaV, Kudo Høffding M,
Krausz C, et al. Preconception genome medicine: Current state
and future perspectives to improve infertility diagnosis and
reproductive and health outcomes based on individual genomic
data. Hum Reprod Update 2021;27:254‑79.
2. Tokgoz VY, Kaya Y, Tekin AB. The level of anxiety in infertile
women whose ART cycles are postponed due to the COVID
19 outbreak. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2020 19;1-8. doi:
10.1080/0167482X.2020.1806819.
3. Zarastvand A, Tizdast T, Khalatbari J, Abolghasemi S. The
effectiveness of mindfulness‑based cognitive therapy on marital
self‑regulation, marital burnout and self‑criticism of infertile
women. J Arak Univ Med Sci 2020;23:488‑97.
4. Begum TF, Fujimoto VY, Gerona R, McGough A, Lenhart N,
Wong R, et al. A pilot investigation of couple‑level phthalates
exposure and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Reprod Toxicol
2021;99:56‑64.
5. Butts CD, Bloom MS, McGough A, Lenhart N, Wong R,
Mok‑Lin E, et al. Variability of essential and non‑essential trace
elements in the follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro
fertilization (IVF). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021;209:111733.
6. Ngai FW, Loke AY. Relationships between infertility related
stress, family sense of coherence and quality of life of
couples with infertility. Hum Fertil (Camb) 2021 12;1-13. doi:
10.1080/14647273.2021.1871781.
7. Taghavi SA, Aramesh S, Azizi‑KutenaeeM, Allan H, Safarzadeh T,
Taheri M, et al. The influence of infertility on sexual and marital
satisfaction in Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome:
A case‑control study. Middle East Fertil Soc J 2021;26:1‑7.
8. Afsar FS, Seremet S, Demirlendi Duran H, Karaca S,
Mumcu Sonmez N. Sexual quality of life in female patients with
acne. Psychol Health Med 2020;25:171‑8.
9. Ghavami Z, Gamissi J, Ziaie T, Mollabashi N. Effect of herbal
composition (Oak Gall, pomegranate peel and Fenugreek Seeds)
on sexual satisfaction of women at reproductive age. Iran J Obstet
Gynecol Infertil 2020;23:24‑33.
10. Chawla N, Verma S, Ganesh R, Sarkar S, Ambekar A. Sexual
relationship, self‑esteem, dysfunction, and sexual satisfaction
in treatment naïve men with heroin dependence. J Psychoactive
Drugs 2021;53:364‑72.
11. Jamaati Ardakani R, Barzegari R, Nasirpour N, Soleymani M.
Sexual schemas and sexual satisfaction in fertile and infertile
women. Women Fam Stud 2020;13:93‑107.
12. Safdari F, Jafari H. Correlation of health literacy and sexual
satisfaction in infertile women referred to infertility center of
Al‑Zahra hospital in Tabriz. J Health Promot Manage 2020;9:58‑67.
13. Ashraf DM, Ali D, Azadeh DM. Effect of infertility on sexual
function: A cross‑sectional study. J Clin Diagn Res 2015;9:C01‑3.
14. Ebrahimi S, Godarzi M, Isanejad O. The effectiveness of
premarital counseling with the relationship attachment model
on marital intimacy needs in marriage applicants. J Res Behav
Sci 2019;17:508‑19.
15. Ghezelbashyan Z, Arefi M . Material intimacy and material
satisfaction in infertile and normal women. J Clin Res Paramed
Sci 2016;4:360-.7
16. Ebrahimifar M, Hosseinian S, Tosi MR, Abedi MR. To compare
of the effectiveness of training based on “Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy” and “Compassion Focused Therapy” on
self‑efficacy, quality of relations and meaning in life in infertile
women. J Health Promot Manage 2019;8:10‑8.
17. Gurman AS, Lebow JL, Snyder DK, editors. Clinical handbook
of couple therapy. Guilford Publications; 2015.
18. Farhadi A, Salehin S, Aghayan S, Keramat A, Talebi S. The
effectiveness of reality therapy based on choice theory on marital
intimacy and sexual satisfaction of newly married women.
Avicenna J Nurs Midwifery Care 2020;28:83‑92.
19. Lindner P, Miloff A, Bergman C, Andersson G, Hamilton W,
Carlbring P. Gamified, automated virtual reality exposure
therapy for fear of spiders: A single‑subject trial under simulated
real‑world conditions. Front Psychiatry 2020;11:116.
20. Wubbolding RE, Brickell J. Frequently asked questions and brief
answers: Part I. Int J Real Ther 2007;27:29.
21. Wubbolding RE. Reality therapy/Choice theory. Counseling and
psychotherapy: Theories and interventions. 2011;1:263-85.
22. Constantine G, Graham S, Portman DJ, Rosen RC, Kingsberg SA.
Female sexual function improved with ospemifene in
postmenopausal women with vulvar and vaginal atrophy:
Results of a randomized, placebo‑controlled trial. Climacteric
2015;18:226‑32.
23. Jocz P, Stolarski M, Jankowski KS. Similarity in chronotype and
preferred time for sex and its role in relationship quality and
sexual satisfaction. Front Psychol 2018;9:443.
24. Yadolahi Saber F, Ebrahimi ME, Zamani N, Sahebi A. The effect
of choice theory training on responsibility and hopefulness of
female students Islamic Azad University Hamedan. Soc Cogn
2019;8:165‑74.
25. Hudson WW, Harrison DF, Crosscup PC. A short‐form scale
to measure sexual discord in dyadic relationships. J Sex Res
1981;17:157‑74.
26. Talayizadeh F, Bakhtiyarpour S. The relationship between marital
satisfaction and sexual satisfaction with couple mental health.
Thoughts Behav Clin Psychol 2016;11:37‑46.
27. Van den Broucke S, Vandereycken W, Vertommen H. Marital
intimacy: Conceptualization and assessment. Clin Psychol Rev
1995;15:217‑33.
28. Constant E, Vallet F, Nandrino JL, Christophe V. Personal
assessment of intimacy in relationships: Validity and measurement
invariance across gender. Eur Rev Appl Psychol 2016;66:109‑16.
29. Wubbolding RE, Wubbolding ST. Choice theory and reality
therapy in Korea, the land of the morning calm. Int J Choice
Theory Real Ther 2017;36:144.
30. Khalili S, Kahnamooi SB, Sahebi A, Farahani H. Explore the
impact of choice theory and reality therapy interventions on
couples’marital satisfaction. Appl Psychol Res Q 2016;7:1‑23.
31. Mirzania Z, Niknam Sharibani E, Hayati M. The effectiveness
of reality therapy based on choice theory on increasing marital
satisfaction and sexual self‑esteem and reduction of marital
conflicts in divorce applicant women. J New Adv Behav Sci
2018;3:61‑81.
32. Abbasi H, Ahmadi SA, Zadeh MM, Bahrami F. The effect of
Glaser’s reality therapy on personal commitment of couples.
Pathol Couns Fam Enrichment 2016;2:39‑53.
33. Soltanzadeh Mezreji H, Toozandehjani H. Efficacy of group
reality therapy on depression in infertile women before treatment
with assisted reproductive techniques IUI. J Res Behave Sci
2014;12:1‑10.
34. Sahebi A, Soltanifar A. Eight Lessons for a Happier Married Life.
8th ed. Tehran: Sayeh Sokhan Publications; 2019.
35. Oliva A, Spira A, Multigner L. Contribution of environmental
factors to the risk of male infertility. Hum Reprod 2001;16:1768‑76.
36. Naderi H, Feghhi H, Joibari FY, Enshaee N, Tadayon M. The
efficiency of reality therapy instruction upon the rate of life’s
qualification and marital conflicts of addicted spouses. J UMP
Soc Sci Technol Manag 2015;3:531‑5.
Krausz C, et al. Preconception genome medicine: Current state
and future perspectives to improve infertility diagnosis and
reproductive and health outcomes based on individual genomic
data. Hum Reprod Update 2021;27:254‑79.
2. Tokgoz VY, Kaya Y, Tekin AB. The level of anxiety in infertile
women whose ART cycles are postponed due to the COVID
19 outbreak. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2020 19;1-8. doi:
10.1080/0167482X.2020.1806819.
3. Zarastvand A, Tizdast T, Khalatbari J, Abolghasemi S. The
effectiveness of mindfulness‑based cognitive therapy on marital
self‑regulation, marital burnout and self‑criticism of infertile
women. J Arak Univ Med Sci 2020;23:488‑97.
4. Begum TF, Fujimoto VY, Gerona R, McGough A, Lenhart N,
Wong R, et al. A pilot investigation of couple‑level phthalates
exposure and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Reprod Toxicol
2021;99:56‑64.
5. Butts CD, Bloom MS, McGough A, Lenhart N, Wong R,
Mok‑Lin E, et al. Variability of essential and non‑essential trace
elements in the follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro
fertilization (IVF). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021;209:111733.
6. Ngai FW, Loke AY. Relationships between infertility related
stress, family sense of coherence and quality of life of
couples with infertility. Hum Fertil (Camb) 2021 12;1-13. doi:
10.1080/14647273.2021.1871781.
7. Taghavi SA, Aramesh S, Azizi‑KutenaeeM, Allan H, Safarzadeh T,
Taheri M, et al. The influence of infertility on sexual and marital
satisfaction in Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome:
A case‑control study. Middle East Fertil Soc J 2021;26:1‑7.
8. Afsar FS, Seremet S, Demirlendi Duran H, Karaca S,
Mumcu Sonmez N. Sexual quality of life in female patients with
acne. Psychol Health Med 2020;25:171‑8.
9. Ghavami Z, Gamissi J, Ziaie T, Mollabashi N. Effect of herbal
composition (Oak Gall, pomegranate peel and Fenugreek Seeds)
on sexual satisfaction of women at reproductive age. Iran J Obstet
Gynecol Infertil 2020;23:24‑33.
10. Chawla N, Verma S, Ganesh R, Sarkar S, Ambekar A. Sexual
relationship, self‑esteem, dysfunction, and sexual satisfaction
in treatment naïve men with heroin dependence. J Psychoactive
Drugs 2021;53:364‑72.
11. Jamaati Ardakani R, Barzegari R, Nasirpour N, Soleymani M.
Sexual schemas and sexual satisfaction in fertile and infertile
women. Women Fam Stud 2020;13:93‑107.
12. Safdari F, Jafari H. Correlation of health literacy and sexual
satisfaction in infertile women referred to infertility center of
Al‑Zahra hospital in Tabriz. J Health Promot Manage 2020;9:58‑67.
13. Ashraf DM, Ali D, Azadeh DM. Effect of infertility on sexual
function: A cross‑sectional study. J Clin Diagn Res 2015;9:C01‑3.
14. Ebrahimi S, Godarzi M, Isanejad O. The effectiveness of
premarital counseling with the relationship attachment model
on marital intimacy needs in marriage applicants. J Res Behav
Sci 2019;17:508‑19.
15. Ghezelbashyan Z, Arefi M . Material intimacy and material
satisfaction in infertile and normal women. J Clin Res Paramed
Sci 2016;4:360-.7
16. Ebrahimifar M, Hosseinian S, Tosi MR, Abedi MR. To compare
of the effectiveness of training based on “Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy” and “Compassion Focused Therapy” on
self‑efficacy, quality of relations and meaning in life in infertile
women. J Health Promot Manage 2019;8:10‑8.
17. Gurman AS, Lebow JL, Snyder DK, editors. Clinical handbook
of couple therapy. Guilford Publications; 2015.
18. Farhadi A, Salehin S, Aghayan S, Keramat A, Talebi S. The
effectiveness of reality therapy based on choice theory on marital
intimacy and sexual satisfaction of newly married women.
Avicenna J Nurs Midwifery Care 2020;28:83‑92.
19. Lindner P, Miloff A, Bergman C, Andersson G, Hamilton W,
Carlbring P. Gamified, automated virtual reality exposure
therapy for fear of spiders: A single‑subject trial under simulated
real‑world conditions. Front Psychiatry 2020;11:116.
20. Wubbolding RE, Brickell J. Frequently asked questions and brief
answers: Part I. Int J Real Ther 2007;27:29.
21. Wubbolding RE. Reality therapy/Choice theory. Counseling and
psychotherapy: Theories and interventions. 2011;1:263-85.
22. Constantine G, Graham S, Portman DJ, Rosen RC, Kingsberg SA.
Female sexual function improved with ospemifene in
postmenopausal women with vulvar and vaginal atrophy:
Results of a randomized, placebo‑controlled trial. Climacteric
2015;18:226‑32.
23. Jocz P, Stolarski M, Jankowski KS. Similarity in chronotype and
preferred time for sex and its role in relationship quality and
sexual satisfaction. Front Psychol 2018;9:443.
24. Yadolahi Saber F, Ebrahimi ME, Zamani N, Sahebi A. The effect
of choice theory training on responsibility and hopefulness of
female students Islamic Azad University Hamedan. Soc Cogn
2019;8:165‑74.
25. Hudson WW, Harrison DF, Crosscup PC. A short‐form scale
to measure sexual discord in dyadic relationships. J Sex Res
1981;17:157‑74.
26. Talayizadeh F, Bakhtiyarpour S. The relationship between marital
satisfaction and sexual satisfaction with couple mental health.
Thoughts Behav Clin Psychol 2016;11:37‑46.
27. Van den Broucke S, Vandereycken W, Vertommen H. Marital
intimacy: Conceptualization and assessment. Clin Psychol Rev
1995;15:217‑33.
28. Constant E, Vallet F, Nandrino JL, Christophe V. Personal
assessment of intimacy in relationships: Validity and measurement
invariance across gender. Eur Rev Appl Psychol 2016;66:109‑16.
29. Wubbolding RE, Wubbolding ST. Choice theory and reality
therapy in Korea, the land of the morning calm. Int J Choice
Theory Real Ther 2017;36:144.
30. Khalili S, Kahnamooi SB, Sahebi A, Farahani H. Explore the
impact of choice theory and reality therapy interventions on
couples’marital satisfaction. Appl Psychol Res Q 2016;7:1‑23.
31. Mirzania Z, Niknam Sharibani E, Hayati M. The effectiveness
of reality therapy based on choice theory on increasing marital
satisfaction and sexual self‑esteem and reduction of marital
conflicts in divorce applicant women. J New Adv Behav Sci
2018;3:61‑81.
32. Abbasi H, Ahmadi SA, Zadeh MM, Bahrami F. The effect of
Glaser’s reality therapy on personal commitment of couples.
Pathol Couns Fam Enrichment 2016;2:39‑53.
33. Soltanzadeh Mezreji H, Toozandehjani H. Efficacy of group
reality therapy on depression in infertile women before treatment
with assisted reproductive techniques IUI. J Res Behave Sci
2014;12:1‑10.
34. Sahebi A, Soltanifar A. Eight Lessons for a Happier Married Life.
8th ed. Tehran: Sayeh Sokhan Publications; 2019.
35. Oliva A, Spira A, Multigner L. Contribution of environmental
factors to the risk of male infertility. Hum Reprod 2001;16:1768‑76.
36. Naderi H, Feghhi H, Joibari FY, Enshaee N, Tadayon M. The
efficiency of reality therapy instruction upon the rate of life’s
qualification and marital conflicts of addicted spouses. J UMP
Soc Sci Technol Manag 2015;3:531‑5.
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