Volume 13, Issue 1 (Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026)
Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026, 13(1): 86-95 |
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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) :86-95
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2796-en.html
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2796-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran. , mohammd.ranjbar271174@gmail.com
2- Department of Psychology, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
3- Department of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 889-14665, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran.
2- Department of Psychology, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
3- Department of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 889-14665, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran.
Abstract: (634 Views)
Background and Aim: The quality of emotional and sexual relationships plays a decisive role in marital stability. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between fulfillment of emotional–sexual needs and couples’ marital satisfaction, with self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy serving as mediators.
Materials and Methods: The present study employed a descriptive‑correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all couples who visited counseling centers in Qeshm County during the year 2023–2024. According to Kline (2016), 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 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 were analyzed using structural equation modeling in SPSS (version 26) and AMOS (version 24).
Results: The results showed that the direct path coefficients 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 for sexual self‑efficacy and marital satisfaction (β =0.55, P=0.004) and for self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy toward marital satisfaction (β=0.55, P=0.004) were significant. The 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.
Materials and Methods: The present study employed a descriptive‑correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all couples who visited counseling centers in Qeshm County during the year 2023–2024. According to Kline (2016), 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 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 were analyzed using structural equation modeling in SPSS (version 26) and AMOS (version 24).
Results: The results showed that the direct path coefficients 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 for sexual self‑efficacy and marital satisfaction (β =0.55, P=0.004) and for self‑differentiation and sexual self‑efficacy toward marital satisfaction (β=0.55, P=0.004) were significant. The 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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