Predicting Sexual Function Based on Love Styles and Maladaptive

Abstract

Introduction: Women experience unique events during their lives, two examples of which are pregnancy and childbirth. Sexual desire and activity in pregnant women and their husbands are unpredictable during pregnancy and their sexual function may increase, decrease, or remain unchanged. Objective: This study aimed to predict sexual function based on the love styles and maladaptive schemas among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional analytical research design and the study population included all pregnant women who referred to healthcare centers and clinics in Shiraz City, Iran in 2016. The research sample consisted of 300 pregnant women who were selected through purposive sampling method from all pregnant women referring to healthcare centers in Shiraz. The data collected through questionnaires of Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire (FSFI), love attitude scale, and Young schema questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis. Results: The results indicate that subscales such as abandonment and rejection (β=-0.459, P<0.001), autonomy dysfunction (β=-0.253, P=0.003), extreme orientation (β=-0.2, P=0.005) and awareness (β=-0.021, P=0.014) are negative significant predictors of sexual function. In addition, Eros and Pragma styles are positive significant predictors of sexual function, while Ludus and Mania styles are negative significant predictors of sexual function. Conclusion: The familiarity of couples with love styles and cognitive schemas is worthy of attention because they are important in preventing sexual dysfunction and increasing sexual satisfaction.