The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Sexual Self-Efficacy and Fear of Intimacy in Couples with Chronic Marital Conflict

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Given the critical role of sexual self-efficacy and fear of intimacy in marital relationship quality and the persistence of chronic conflict, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on these two key constructs.

Methodology: This quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest control group design was conducted on 45 couples with chronic marital conflict referred to counseling centers in Tehran; participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, the experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy, and data were collected using standardized measures of sexual self-efficacy and fear of intimacy and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Findings: The results of repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction effect of time and group on sexual self-efficacy (F=54.11, p<0.01, η²=0.56) and fear of intimacy (F=46.73, p<0.01, η²=0.51), and Bonferroni tests confirmed a significant increase in sexual self-efficacy and a significant decrease in fear of intimacy in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Cognitive behavioral therapy can be considered an effective intervention for enhancing sexual self-efficacy and reducing fear of intimacy in couples with chronic marital conflict, thereby improving marital relationship quality.