Volume 13, Issue 1 (7-2026)
Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026, 13(1): 86-96 |
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Piyousi F, Hashemipour S, Rezaeifard A, Ranjbar M. The Relationship Between Emotional–Sexual Needs Fulfillment and Marital Satisfaction of Couples: The Mediating Role of Self‑Differentiation and Sexual Self‑Efficacy in Qeshm County. Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026; 13 (1) :86-96
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2796-en.html
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2796-en.html
1- Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Unit , mohammd.ranjbar271174@gmail.com
2- Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Unit
3- Farhangian University, Tehran
4- Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan Unit
2- Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Unit
3- Farhangian University, Tehran
4- Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan Unit
Abstract: (16 Views)
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The quality of emotional and sexual relationships plays a decisive role in the stability of marital life.
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional–sexual needs fulfillment and couples’ marital satisfaction, with the mediating role of self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy.
Method: The present study employed a descriptive‑correlational design based on structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of all couples who visited counseling centers in Qeshm County during the year 2023–2024 (1403–1404 in the Iranian calendar). According to Kline’s (2016) perspective, in structural equation modeling, a minimum of 10 participants per free parameter—or at least 200 participants—is required to obtain stable estimates. Therefore, in the current study, a sample of 270 married individuals (couples) was selected using a convenience sampling method. The participants completed the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (2006), the Emotional‑Sexual Needs Scale developed by Shahbazfar, Zarei, Haji‑Alizadeh, and Dertaj (2021), the Differentiation of Self Inventory by Skowron and Friedlander (1998), and the Sexual Self‑Efficacy Scale (Vaziri & Lotfi‑Kashani, 2013). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24.
Results: The results showed that the path coefficients of the direct paths from emotional–sexual needs fulfillment to self‑differentiation (β=0.55, P=0.004), sexual self‑efficacy, and marital satisfaction were significant. Moreover, the direct path coefficients of sexual self‑efficacy and marital satisfaction (β=0.55, P=0.004), and self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy toward marital satisfaction (β=0.55, P=0.004) were significant. The results of indirect effects also indicated that self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy play a mediating role in this model (P<0.005).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that emotional–sexual needs fulfillment directly and indirectly affects marital satisfaction through self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy. Furthermore, self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy play a mediating role and can serve as targets for effective interventions aimed at improving marital satisfaction.
Introduction: The quality of emotional and sexual relationships plays a decisive role in the stability of marital life.
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional–sexual needs fulfillment and couples’ marital satisfaction, with the mediating role of self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy.
Method: The present study employed a descriptive‑correlational design based on structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of all couples who visited counseling centers in Qeshm County during the year 2023–2024 (1403–1404 in the Iranian calendar). According to Kline’s (2016) perspective, in structural equation modeling, a minimum of 10 participants per free parameter—or at least 200 participants—is required to obtain stable estimates. Therefore, in the current study, a sample of 270 married individuals (couples) was selected using a convenience sampling method. The participants completed the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (2006), the Emotional‑Sexual Needs Scale developed by Shahbazfar, Zarei, Haji‑Alizadeh, and Dertaj (2021), the Differentiation of Self Inventory by Skowron and Friedlander (1998), and the Sexual Self‑Efficacy Scale (Vaziri & Lotfi‑Kashani, 2013). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24.
Results: The results showed that the path coefficients of the direct paths from emotional–sexual needs fulfillment to self‑differentiation (β=0.55, P=0.004), sexual self‑efficacy, and marital satisfaction were significant. Moreover, the direct path coefficients of sexual self‑efficacy and marital satisfaction (β=0.55, P=0.004), and self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy toward marital satisfaction (β=0.55, P=0.004) were significant. The results of indirect effects also indicated that self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy play a mediating role in this model (P<0.005).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that emotional–sexual needs fulfillment directly and indirectly affects marital satisfaction through self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy. Furthermore, self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy play a mediating role and can serve as targets for effective interventions aimed at improving marital satisfaction.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/02/12 | Accepted: 2026/05/30 | Published: 2026/06/22
Received: 2026/02/12 | Accepted: 2026/05/30 | Published: 2026/06/22
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