Clinical Psychology and Personality

Clinical Psychology and Personality

The Effectiveness of Integrated Cognitive Behavioral-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (CBT-ACT) on Sexual Performance and Self-Esteem in Women with Vaginismus

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
2 Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Hakim Toos Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Vaginismus is one of the most common sexual disorders affecting women, significantly impacting their sexual activities and related issues. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated cognitive-behavioral acceptance and commitment therapy (CBT-ACT) on the sexual function and self-esteem of women with vaginismus in Mashhad.
Method: The method of this study was a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group. For this purpose, 30 women diagnosed with vaginismus were purposively selected from among all women visiting gynecologists' offices and psychological service clinics in Mashhad. Diagnosis was confirmed by a gynecologist. The participants were then randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The intervention was delivered in a group format over 12 sessions to the experimental group. The instruments used in the study were the Rosen Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), which participants completed during both the pre-test and post-test phases. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to analyze the data.
Results: Analysis of the results showed that the CBT-ACT intervention is effective in improving sexual function (P < 0.01) and promoting self-esteem (P < 0.001) in women with vaginismus.
Discussion and conclusion: CBT-ACT treatment can serve as an effective, flexible, and practical therapeutic intervention for sexual disorders, particularly vaginismus.
Keywords

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