Skip to main content

The relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas among married women of childbearing age

Abstract

Background

Healthy sex can be affected by cognitive schemas activated in the sexual context (CSASCs) and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). Cognitive schemas are the nuclear structure of the cognitive system which facilitate the interaction between individuals and their environments. CSASCs are emotional and behavioral responses in the sexual context. EMSs are extremely stable, enduring and are developed throughout the life of the individual, beginning in childhood. The present study investigated the relationship between CSASCs and EMSs among married women of childbearing age.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 260 married women of childbearing age participated. Using two-stage sampling, ten comprehensive urban health centers were first randomly selected and then 26 individuals from each center were invited to participate. Data collection included demographic variables, the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) with 15 EMSs (emotional deprivation, abandonment, mistrust/abuse, social alienation, defectiveness, incompetence, dependency, vulnerability to harm, enmeshment, subjugation of needs, self-sacrifice, emotional inhibition, unrelenting standards, entitlement, and insufficient self-control), and the Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context Questionnaires (CSASCQ) with five subscales (undesirability/rejection, incompetence, self-depreciation, difference/loneliness, and helplessness). Data analysis was performed using a uni-variable and multi-variable linear regression model with a stepwise method at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 32.48 years and the average duration of their marriage was 10.34 years. The average score of early maladaptive schemas on the YSQ-SF was 151.5 (out of 450). Higher scores indicate more severe maladaptive schemas, although the total score has no defined cutoff point. Scores greater than 15 on each subscale constitute the internalization of that particular maladaptive schema. The highest average subscale scores were the schemas of self-sacrifice and unrelenting standards (M = 16.12, 15.90, respectively), indicating that these two schemas play important roles in the cognition of the participants. The mean score on the CSASCQ was 34.60 (SD ± 12.59; range: 25–125), with the highest mean reported on the loneliness subscale. Hypoactive sexual desire was the most common unpleasant sexual problem (6.9%) and disillusion was the most dominant feeling experienced by participants (33.3%). The results of the multivariable model showed that the following were significant predictors of the CSASC: three subscales of EMS (emotional deprivation [β = 0.28], social isolation [β = 0.31], and emotional inhibition [β = 0.14]) and two demographic variables (job [β = 0.11] and consanguineous marriage [β = 0.20]). In total, the multi-variable model explained 92% of variance of CSASCs.

Conclusions

The present study found a significant and meaningful association between EMSs and CSASCs adjusting for the effect of socio-demographic characteristics. The findings indicate that the study of schemas and schema therapy should be considered in both premarital and marital counseling.

Peer Review reports

Background

A schema may be defined as a cognitive structure that includes stable beliefs and assumptions about the self, others, and the world, and functions as a broad organizing principle that directs an individual’s cognitive processing in their life events [1, 2]. Schemas can play an important role in the quality of various aspects of marital relationships [3]. Self-schemas are cognitive generalizations about the self. Schemas can also impact relationships, and an individual’s cognitive schemas have been shown to be relevant in studies on the causes of divorce [4]. Young and Gluhoski found that if there are inconsistent schemas between spouses, the disconnect can lead to dissatisfaction and eventually divorce [5].

Based on Young’s work, early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are said to consist of deep and pervasive patterns or themes formed by negative memories, emotions, cognitions, and bodily sensations. Maladaptive schemas are often formed in childhood or adolescence, and as they persist throughout the course of life, they can cause inadequacy in individuals’ relationships with themselves and others [2, 6]. When maladaptive schemas are activated in the face of a challenging situation, this leads to dysfunctional perceptions, thinking patterns, and behaviors that may eventually lead to psychiatric problems, such as anxiety or depressive disorders, eating disorders, and even personality disorders [7].

Maladaptive schemas often produce negative bias in interpreting events, which may lead to problems in couples’ emotional relationships [8]. In the field of sexual function, schemas include assumptions and expectations about the spouse and the marital relationship [9]. In this regard, it has been shown that maladaptive schemas are associated with low marital satisfaction [8]. A relationship has also been found between maladaptive schemas and difficulties with individuals satisfying their own sexual needs, especially sexual needs, which can eventually lead to sexual dissatisfaction [10]. A study by Oliveira and Nobreh showed that sexual dissatisfaction and reduced marital satisfaction were significantly associated with early maladaptive schemas [11].

In addition to general schemas which constitute of stable beliefs and assumptions about the general aspects of life [1, 2], individuals also have sexual self-schemas. Sexual self-schemas are cognitive generalizations regarding sexual aspects of the self that represent a core component of an individual’s sexuality [12]. An individual’s sexual beliefs and attitudes also influence the processing of sexual information and guiding of sexual behavior [13]. Moreover, their attitudes or knowledge about sex or their ability to have sex are important factors affecting sexual activity and satisfaction. Therefore, individuals’ thoughts, attitudes, and values are important components of sexual function and are sources of influence on sexual response and satisfaction [14, 15]. Like maladaptive schemas which often produce negative bias in interpreting events [7], unpleasant sexual experiences might be associated with negative sexual schemas [16]. Individuals may develop specific, faulty cognitive constructions (i.e., cognitive vulnerabilities) that predispose them to develop specific psychopathological syndromes [17]. In this regard, self-schemas activated by an individual when facing sexual failure situations are called cognitive schemas activated in sexual context [18].

Overall, early maladaptive schemas have a detrimental effect on an individual’s understanding of various situations, including marital life and sexual relationships [19]. Moreover, healthy sexual relations in marital life (such as expressing feelings and emotions to one’s spouse and engaging in sexual intercourse) can influence the quality of the marital relationship, sexual satisfaction, and each partner’s sexual schemas [20]. Therefore, healthy sexual relationships can be affected by both cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas [21, 22]. Moreover, it should be noted that the impact of contextual variables such as demographic and social characteristics on various sexual issues has been shown in several studies. Variables such as age [24], education [24], job [23, 25], economic status [26], and type of marriage [24, 26] have been correlated with sexual variables in various studies.

Most studies related to schemas have been carried out with specific groups of participants [27,28,29] or have focused on the impact of early maladaptive schemas on various aspects of married life (e.g., marital satisfaction, sexual satisfaction) [23, 30,31,32]. Although the relationship between early cognitive schemas and sexually activated schemas has been investigated in various studies, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the relationship between cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context and early maladaptive schemas has not been considered in an Iranian context. Therefore, the present study sought to fill this gap.

Due to the fact that sexual activity in Iranian society is legitimate only in the context of marriage, all participants in this study were married women. Marriage in Iranian society is traditional and individuals sometimes do not play an active role in choosing their sexual partner as a spouse. In Iranian society, the culture of sexual relationship is a patriarchal culture. Most women have a passive role in the relationship; they often feel that they should not initiate a relationship and they should use different ways to keep their sexual partner (i.e., their husband) satisfied. Understanding schemas and the relationships between different schemas can be an effective step in obtaining insight to design and implement culturally-based schematic interventions within marital counseling. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas among married women of childbearing age in an Iranian sample.

Methods

Design and participants

A cross-sectional study was carried out in ten comprehensive health centers in Qazvin with the participation of 260 married women of childbearing age. Qazvin is the largest city and capital of the Province of Qazvin in Iran. Its population is approximately 650,000 and is located 150 km northwest of Tehran. Comprehensive health centers provide community-based health services to women based on their age and health status including preconception counseling, prenatal care, postpartum care, monitoring children’s growth and development, and breast examination. They are located in different parts of the city and are therefore the best centers to recruit women from different social, economic, and cultural classes. The exclusion criteria were: currently pregnant or lactating, premenopausal or menopausal age, having other known medical or psychological illness based on participant self-report, currently experiencing a stressful event (e.g., recent loss of a loved one), and/or unwillingness to participate in the study.

Sample size estimation

No relevant study was found in this field, so it was not possible to model the present study’s sample size with a twin study. Considering the minimum correlation coefficient of 0.15, α = 0.05, and β = 0.20, the required sample size was estimated to be 260 individuals.

Sampling procedure

To recruit a research sample with maximum diversity in terms of economic, social, and cultural status, two-stage cluster sampling was used. In the first stage, two health centers were randomly selected from each of the five areas of Qazvin, with each area considered to be a cluster. Then, 26 individuals from each of the selected health centers were invited to participate in the study.

Measures

Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) The YSQ-SF is a 75-item scale, and is a subset of the original 205 items of the Young Schema Questionnaire-Long Form [33]. The items assess the presence of 15 early maladaptive schemas comprising emotional deprivation, abandonment, mistrust/abuse, social alienation, defectiveness, incompetence, dependency, vulnerability to harm, enmeshment, subjugation of needs, self-sacrifice, emotional inhibition, unrelenting standards, entitlement, and insufficient self-control. Each of the 75 items is rated on a six-point scale from 1 (Completely untrue of me) to 6 (Describes me perfectly) [6]. A higher score on a given subscale reflects a greater possibility of the presence of that maladaptive schema for that individual. Validity and reliability of the Persian version of the 75-item short form has been confirmed by factor analysis [34, 35].

Cognitive Schema Activated in Sexual Context Questionnaire (CSASCQ) The CSASCQ was developed by Nobre and Pinto-Gouveia and is a 28-item measure that assesses cognitive schemas in response to specific sexual episodes [18]. First, four common sexual problems are presented in the female version: hypoactive sexual desire disorder, orgasmic disorder, sexual pain, and subjective arousal difficulties. Participants rated the frequency of each sexual problem from 1 (Never occurs) to 5 (Happens often). Second, participants indicated the emotions aroused by the episode, checking all that apply from a list of ten emotions: worry, sadness, disillusion, fear, guilt, shame, anger, hurt, pleasure, and satisfaction. Finally, participants were instructed to focus on the most frequent situation and associated emotions, and respond to 28 self-statements reproducing Beck’s self-schemas [1], using a five-point Likert scale from 1 (Completely false) to 5 (Completely true). A factor analysis of the 28 schemas suggest a five-factor structure [18]: undesirability/rejection; incompetence; self-depreciation; difference/loneliness; and helplessness. Scores on the five domains and the total scale were calculated through the sum of the schema items with higher scores representing greater negative schema activation. Psychometric studies demonstrate adequate test–retest reliability with a four-week interval (r = 0.66) and excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94. Good psychometric properties of the Persian version have been reported [36].

Socio-demographic characteristics: These were assessed using a predefined checklist including woman’s age (years), spouse’s age (years), marriage duration (years), couple age difference (years), number of children, oldest child age (years), youngest child age (years), perception of husband’s support, strength of religious belief, and religious activities. Husband’s support, religious belief, and religious activities were assessed on a scale of 1 to 10 (e.g., for religious activities, the higher the score the more religious activities engaged in). Other demographic variables included educational status and occupation of participants and spouses, rotational working shifts for participants or spouses, long periods of husband being away from home, consanguineous marriage, having separate bedroom (from children), living with own/spouse’s family, and perceived economic status (asking about actual income tends not to be answered by Iranian participants).

Procedure

After obtaining the necessary permits, the researchers contacted the selected health centers in Qazvin. With the coordination of the head of the comprehensive health centers, a private exam room was provided to the research team, in order to protect participant confidentiality. Eligible individuals were identified and invited to participate in the study. An explanation of the purpose of the study was given and willing participants then answered the self-report survey in a private space and returned it directly to the member of the research team present.

Ethics

The present study was approved by the Research Council and the Ethics Committee in Biological Research of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (code REC.1397.398). All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. When inviting participants, explanations were given about the importance and goals of the research, the privacy and confidentiality of collected information, the voluntary participation in the study, and the ability to leave the study at any time. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants prior to study participation.

Statistical analysis

Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v. 24. Quantitatively continuous variables were calculated using means and standard deviations and categorical variables were calculated using frequencies and percentages. A uni-variable and multi-variable linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between CSASCs, EMSs, and demographic characteristics. In the uni-variable regression model, the total CSASCQ score was entered as the dependent variable and the other variables (including demographic variables) were entered as the independent variables. Variables with a significance level less than 0.05 in the uni-variable model were selected to be entered in the multi-variable model. In the multi-variable model, the stepwise method of entering variables was used. Qualitative categorical variables were coded as dummy variables for entry in the regression model. The considerations of using regression methods including normal distribution of CSASCQ score, lack of discarded data, and lack of correlation between independent variables were controlled for.

Results

Demographic characteristics

All participants (N = 260) were married women of reproductive age. The mean age of the participants was 32.48 years (SD = 6.82) and the average length of their marriage was 10.34 years (SD = 7.51). Most participants were housewives with academic education (at least B.Sc. or B.A.) reporting moderate economic status. In the univariable regression model, all demographic variables were significantly associated with CSASCQ score. Table 1 summarizes the demographic characteristics and univariable regression results.

Table 1 Distribution of socio-demographic variables among participants (N = 260) and results of univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses considering sexual schema as dependent variable

Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs)

The mean score of EMS was 151.45 (SD = 40.46). The highest average subscale scores were obtained for self-sacrifice (16.12; SD = 6.75) and unrelenting standards/hyper-criticalness (15.90; SD = 5.37). Given that a subscale score greater than 15 constitutes the internalization of the maladaptive schema, these results indicate the important role of these two schemas in the minds of the participants (Table 2).

Table 2 Distribution of early maladaptive schema (subscales and total score) among participants (N = 260) and results of univariable logistic regression analysis using sexual schema as dependent variable

Cognitive schemas activated in sexual context (CSASCs)

The most common sexual problems reported by participants were hypoactive sexual desire disorder (6.9%), subjective arousal difficulties (4.2%), orgasmic disorder (4.2%), and sexual pain (2.3%). The majority of participants reported that disillusion was a predominant feeling experienced during their usual unpleasant sexual problem (33.33%). Table 3 shows the frequency of sexual problems and related emotions. In total, the average score on the CSASCQ was 34.60. Compared to other subscales, difference/loneliness had the highest mean score (Table 4).

Table 3 Frequency of sexual problems and related emotions for participants (N = 260)
Table 4 Sexual schema subscale and total mean scores

The relationship between CSASCs and EMSs was examined. The univariable regression models considering CSASCQ score as the dependent variable and EMS subscales as independent variables showed that all EMS subscales had a significant relationship with CSASCs among married women of childbearing age (Table 2). To examine this relationship more accurately, a multivariate linear regression was performed.

In the multivariate regression model, EMSs and demographic variables were entered using the stepwise function (Table 5). The results of the multivariate model showed that three facets of EMS were significant independent variables in predicting CSASCs: emotional deprivation (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), social isolation (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and emotional inhibition (β = 0.14, p < 0.001). The mean scores on the CSASCQ increased by 1.47, 0.98 and 0.47 points for each point increase in the schemas of social isolation, emotional deprivation and emotional inhibition, respectively.

Table 5 Predictors of sexual schema according to multivariable linear regression analysis

Occupation (β = 0.11, p < 0.001) and consanguineous marriage (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) were the only demographic variables that remained significant in the multivariate regression model. The mean score of CSASCQ for housewives was 5.44 points higher than that of employed women; the score was 8.41 points higher for women in non-consanguineous marriage compared to those in consanguineous marriage. In total, the multivariate model explained 92% of the variance of CSASCQ score.

Discussion

The present study investigated the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and cognitive schemas activated in the sexual context (CSASCs) among married women of childbearing age. Self-sacrifice and unrelenting standards were two maladaptive EMSs and the difference/loneliness subscale was the main cognitive schema activated in the sexual context among participants. Further multivariate analysis demonstrated that three early maladaptive schemas of emotional deprivation, social isolation, and emotional inhibition schemas predicted CSASCs.

The highest average subscale scores on the early maladaptive schemas were related to self-sacrifice and unrelenting standards, indicating that these two schemas played important roles in the cognition of the participants. In Iranian culture, self-sacrifice is valued among women. From early childhood, Iranian girls are acquainted with this feature by their mothers and follow their example; later in life, self-sacrifice is seen as one of the values of femininity and motherhood. The spirit of self-sacrifice is also highly emphasized in Iranian Islamic culture and is emphasized in women. In Iranian culture, mothers are encouraged to devote more time to family and children, and may experience negative emotions about themselves if unable to perform these tasks fully. Therefore, due to the fact that women have many responsibilities and helping others is a priority for them, unrelenting standards may be emphasized by them. In previous Iranian studies, the self-sacrifice and unrelenting schemas have also been identified as maladaptive schemas among Iranian women [37, 38].

The study further showed that participants’ average CSASCQ score was 34.6 (out of 125), with higher scores indicating stronger problematic cognitive schemas. The difference/loneliness subscale had the highest mean score, demonstrating that participants’ perceived level of difference from partner or loneliness most impacted their cognitive schemas activated in sexual context. The most predominant feeling associated with hypoactive sexual desire was disillusion. In the previous study, the mean score of cognitive schemas relating to sexual problems on the CSASCQ was 35.56 (SD = 14.68) with the highest mean score also on the difference/loneliness subscale [23]. Other Iranian studies did not use the CSASCQ questionnaire. A study by Piexeto found that among women with sexual problems, feelings of difference from partner/loneliness and undesirability/rejection schemas were more common in sexual situations than among healthy women [28].

The multivariate analysis demonstrated that three early maladaptive schemas predicted CSASCs: emotional deprivation, social isolation, and emotional inhabitation. Various studies have shown that EMSs play an important role in predicting the outcomes of couples’ sexual and marital relationships. Hamidi et al. [39] reported that women with vaginismus had more EMSs and more anxious attachment styles than healthy women. In a study by Khosravi et al. [40], feelings of shame/defectiveness, emotional deprivation, and mistrust/abuse were the most common schemas among women experiencing domestic violence in the context of marital conflict. Moreover, Esmaili et al. [38] found that the presence of higher emotional deprivation and unrelenting standards/hypocrisy were predictors of lower marital satisfaction. Three schemas significantly predicted higher SCASCs (i.e., emotional emotion, emotional deprivation, and social isolation).

The findings suggest that individuals with emotional inhibition schemas cannot express their feelings and emotions spontaneously. It is difficult for them to say that they love and value others. They believe that it is better to hide their emotions and to control themselves [5]. Therefore, being emotionally inhibited could make sexual activity challenging. The inability by individuals to express themselves, to let go of inhibitions impact on the ability to be relaxed enough physically to enjoy sexual activity and to reach orgasm. Another schema related to CSASCs was emotional deprivation. Individuals with emotional deprivation schemas feel that no-one wants or can meet their needs. They often think that others do not really listen to them and do not understand them. They may avoid romantic relationships or have relationships that are short-lived [2]. One of the requirements of a good sex life is to have a dyadic relationship and a sense of trust in the sexual partner to assess sexual needs. Given that these individuals experience emotional deprivation, they may have difficulty in sexual communication and having a desirable sexual relationship. Individuals with social isolation schemas may experience anxiety in new situations and therefore avoid participating in such situations. They feel that they are not like other individuals and they may get nervous about being with new people and they really do not know what to talk to them about. They may also become anxious and worried about how they will feel about themselves [5]. When they are anxious, they cannot use their social skills and therefore feel isolated and insecure. While they need a closer relationship with others, they may not be able to do so and this may lead to problems in initiating sexual relationships. Therefore, it may be helpful to explore these three specific early maladaptive schemas among women who are having difficulty in their sexual relationships.

Other research [41] has shown that individuals with sexual dysfunction experience significantly more negative schemas when exposed to unsuccessful sexual situations than sexually healthy individuals. Most men and women with sexual problems interpret their negative sexual events within the incompetence self-schema (e.g., “I’m powerless”, “I’m incompetent”). These findings are consistent with recent research showing that individuals with sexual dysfunction tend to make internal, persistent, and universal attributions to negative sexual experiences. Therefore, it is clear that defective cognitive structures provide a basis for sexual dysfunction. This highlights the importance of using cognitive theory to develop therapeutic models and approaches to improve cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context and marital satisfaction [41].

Occupation and consanguineous marriage were important predictors of CSASCQ score in the present study. The results showing an association between these variables with sexually-related issues (e.g., sexual satisfaction) is contradictory; while higher rates of female sexual dysfunction [42] and less sexual satisfaction [43] are reported among women in consanguineous marriage, Salehiniya, et al. [44] did not find any significant association between these variables.

Limitations and strengths

When interpreting the findings of the present study, the following limitations should be considered. The cross-sectional design does not allow the determination of causal relationships. Further limitations include the self-report method, and the relatively limited sampling in comprehensive health centers. The exclusion of unmarried women in the present study was due to cultural reasons. Based on Iranian and Islamic culture, individuals can only commence their sexual relationship once they are married. Because the present study was conducted in the context of Iranian society, only married women were recruited as participants. Therefore, the results cannot be generalized to unmarried sexually active women. Despite these limitations, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context among married women of childbearing age. The use of univariable as well as multivariable linear regression models made it possible to examine this relationship more thoroughly. Further studies are needed in order to test the role of cognitive schemas activated among women with specific sexual disorders (e.g., genito-pelvic pain disorder).

Conclusion

Early maladaptive schemas of emotional deprivation, social isolation, and emotional inhibition were significantly associated with cognitive schemas activated in the sexual context. Therefore, in premarital and marital counseling relating to sexual issues, the study of schemas and the integration of schema therapy and cognitive therapy should be considered.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

CSASCs:

Cognitive schemas activated in the sexual context

EMSs:

Early maladaptive schemas

References

  1. Beck JS, Beck AT. Cognitive therapy: basics and beyond. New York: Guilford press; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Young JE, Klosko JS, Weishaar ME. Schema therapy: a practitioner’s guide. New York: Guilford Press; 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  3. McDermott N. Early maladaptive schemas, attachment, negative affect and relationship satisfaction. Glassboro: Rowan University; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dehghani M, Esmailian N. Personality characteristics, early maladaptive schema and family function in couples initiating for divorce versus non-initiating ones. J Fam Res. 2017;2(4):575–92.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Young J, Gluhoski V. A schema-focused perspective on satisfaction in close relationships. In: Sternberg RJ, Hojjat M, editors. Satisfaction in close relationships. New York, USA: The Guilford Press; 1997. p. 356–81.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Young JE, Brown G. Young schema questionnaire-short form; version 3. Psychol Assess 2005.

  7. Anmuth L. Early maladaptive schemas and negative life events in the prediction of depression and anxiety. Glassboro: Rowan University; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Chay SRF, Zarei E, Pour F. Investigating the relationship between maladaptive schemas and marital satisfaction in mothers of primary school children. J Biomed Life Sci. 2014;4(2):119–24.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Manzary L, Makvandi B, Khajevand KA. Comparison between maladaptive schemas, marital conflicts and sexual satisfaction in nearly-divorced, divorced and normal individuals. J Psychol Behav Stud. 2014;2(1):39–49.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hashemian SS, Shayan S, Omidvar A, Modarres GM. Relationship between early maladaptive schemas and sexual satisfaction in working women in Mashhad Ferdowsi University and Shiraz University, Iran. J Fundam Ment Health. 2015;17(4):192–6.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Oliveira C, Nobre PJ. Cognitive structures in women with sexual dysfunction: the role of early maladaptive schemas. J Sex Med. 2013;10(7):1755–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cyranowski JM, Aarestad SL, Andersen BL. The role of sexual self-schema in a diathesis-stress model of sexual dysfunction. Appl Prev Psychol. 1999;8(3):217–28.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Rellini AH, Meston CM. Sexual self-schemas, sexual dysfunction, and the sexual responses of women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. Arch Sex Behav. 2011;40(2):351–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Andersen BL, Cyranowski JM. Women’s sexual self-schema. J Personal Soc Psychol. 1994;67(6):1079.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Carpenter KM, Andersen BL, Fowler JM, Maxwell GL. Sexual self schema as a moderator of sexual and psychological outcomes for gynecologic cancer survivors. Arch Sex Behav. 2009;38(5):828–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Cyranowski JM. Women’s sexual self schemas: a cognitive approach to women’s sexuality. Ohio: The Ohio State University; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Alford BA, Beck AT, Jones JV Jr. The integrative power of cognitive therapy. New York: Springer; 1997.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  18. Nobre PJ, Pinto-Gouveia J. Questionnaire of cognitive schema activation in sexual context: a measure to assess cognitive schemas activated in unsuccessful sexual situations. J Sex Res. 2009;46(5):425–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Afshari Z, Mootabi F, Panaghi L. The mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in relation between attachment styles and marital satisfaction. J Fam Psychol. 2015;2(1):59–70.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Brassard A, Dupuy E, Bergeron S, Shaver PR. Attachment insecurities and women’s sexual function and satisfaction: the mediating roles of sexual self-esteem, sexual anxiety, and sexual assertiveness. J Sex Res. 2015;52(1):110–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Panahifar S, Yousefi N, Amani A. The effectiveness of schema-based couple therapy on early maladaptive schemata adjustment and the increase of divorce applicants adaptability. Kuwait Chapter Arab J Bus Manag Rev. 2014;3(9):339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Yousefi N, Etemadi O, Bahrami F, Ahmadi SA, Fatehi-Zadeh M. Comparing early maladaptive schemas among divorced and non-divorced couples as predictors of divorce. Iran J Psychiatr Clin Psychol. 2010;16(1):21–33.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Bahrami N, Peixoto MM, Griffiths MD, Alimoradi Z. Sexual Satisfaction and cognitive schemas activated in a sexual context among Iranian married women of reproductive age. J Sex Marital Ther. 2022;48(3):251–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Nazarpour S, Simbar M, Tehrani FR. Factors affecting sexual function in menopause: a review article. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;55(4):480–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Fahami F, Beygi M, Hasanzahrai R, Arman S. The relationship between socioeconomic status and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2007;27(1):10–5.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Yencilek F, Attar R, Erol B, Narin R, Aydın H, Karateke A, et al. Factors affecting sexual function in premenopausal age women with type 2 diabetes: a comprehensive study. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(5):1840–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Peixoto MM, Nobre PJ. Cognitive-emotional predictors of sexual functioning in lesbians, gays, and heterosexuals. Arch Sex Behav. 2020;49(5):1823–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Peixoto MM, Nobre P. Cognitive schemas activated in sexual context: a comparative study with homosexual and heterosexual men and women, with and without sexual problems. Cogn Ther Res. 2015;39(3):390–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Géonet M, De Sutter P, Zech E. Cognitive factors in women hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Sexologies. 2013;22(1):e9–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Zargarinejad F, Ahmadi M. The mediating role of sexual self-schema in the relationship of sexual functioning with sexual satisfaction in married female college students. Iran J Psychiatr Clin Psychol. 2020;25(4):412–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Mojtabayi M, Saberi H, Alizadeh A. The role of sexual-self schema and body image on women sexual function. Q J Health Psychol. 2015;4(13):21–40.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Medina A. The role of sexual self-schema and psychological distress in the relationship between sexual victimization and sexual functioning and satisfaction. San Bernardino: California State University; 2019.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Oei TP, Baranoff J. Young schema questionnaire: review of psychometric and measurement issues. Aust J Psychol. 2007;59(2):78–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Divandari H, Ahi G, Akbari H, Mahdian H. The young schema questionnaire–short form (SQ-SF): investigation psychometric properties and factor structure between students in Islamic Azad University, Kashmar branch. Sci J Educ Res. 2009;5(20):1–29.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Sadooghi Z, Aguilar-Vafaie ME, Rasoulzadeh Tabatabaie K, Esfehanian N. Factor analysis of the young schema questionnaire-short form in a nonclinical Iranian sample. Iran J Psychiatr Clin Psychol. 2008;14(2):214–9.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Abdolmanafi A, Winter S, Ghorban Jahromi R, Farahani H, Peixoto MM, Nobre P. Psychometric properties of the persian version of the questionnaire of cognitive schema activation in sexual context (QCSASC) in unsuccessful sexual situations. Sex Relatsh Ther. 2019;34(1):109–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Najafabadi ZP, Alibeigi N, Eskandarnia E. Comparison of cognitive and emotional schema in women with and without marital satisfaction. World J Adv Res Rev. 2021;12(01):056–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Esmaili SS, Mohammadi AZ, Hakami M. Predicting marital satisfaction on the basis of early maladaptive schema in married women, Tehran, Iran. Int J Med Res Health Sci. 2016;5(6):262–70.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Hamidi S, Shareh H, Hojjat SK. Comparison of early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles in women with vaginismus and normal women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil. 2015;18:9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Khosravi Z, Attari A, Rezaei S. Intimate partner violence in relation to early maladaptive schemas in a group of outpatient Iranian women. Proced Soc Behav Sci. 2011;30:1374–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Nobre PJ, Pinto-Gouveia J. Cognitive schemas associated with negative sexual events: a comparison of men and women with and without sexual dysfunction. Arch Sex Behav. 2009;38(5):842–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Jafarzadeh Esfehani R, Fazel N, Dashti S, Moshkani S, Haghighi Hasanabad F, Foji S, et al. Female sexual dysfunction and its associated risk factors: an epidemiological study in the North-East of Iran. J Midwifery Reprod Health. 2016;4(1):498–505.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Zhian F, Navabinejad PD, Azimi Garoosi S. Sexual satisfaction and marital adjustment among consanguineous and nonconsanguineous teaching couples. Q J Fam Res. 2015;12(2):27–40.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Salehiniya H. Correlates of sexual satisfaction among Iranians women attending South Tehran health centers: a cross-sectional study. J Anal Res Clin Med. 2014;2(3):135–41.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

The present study was financially supported by the Vice-chancellor (Research) of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. The funding body had no role in the design of the study, collection, analysis, interpretation of data and writing the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

ZA and NB contributed to the conception and design of the study, SZ contributed to data collection, ZA and NB contributed in data analysis and interpretation of data. ZA, NB, BLA, NAA drafted the manuscript. BLA and NAA provided contributions to the literature review and discussion and substantially edited the primary manuscript and prepared the final version of the manuscript. MDG was responsible for re-writing and editing the revised versions of the manuscript. All authors revised the manuscript, agreed to be fully accountable for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the study, and read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published. All the authors met the criteria for authorship, and they are listed as co-authors on the title page.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nasim Bahrami.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The present study was approved by the Research Council and the Ethics Committee in Biological Research of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (code REC.1397.398). All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. When inviting participants, explanations were given about the importance and goals of the research, the privacy and confidentiality of collected information, the voluntary participation in the study, and the ability to leave the study at any time. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants prior to study participation.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alimoradi, Z., Zarabadipour, S., Arrato, N.A. et al. The relationship between cognitive schemas activated in sexual context and early maladaptive schemas among married women of childbearing age. BMC Psychol 10, 131 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00829-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00829-1

Keywords