Evaluation of Quality of Life Therapy Effectiveness in Contrast to Psycho-Sexual Education on Sexual Self-Concept of Iranian Women

Background: Quality-of-life therapy (QOLT) is an integrative psychotherapy that was formed by adding positive psychology concepts to cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT). Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of QOLT on the sexual self-concept of Iranian women. Patients and Methods: A double-blind randomized experimental study was done from February 2011 to January 2012. The study subjects were recruited from a mental health nongovernmental organization in Isfahan, Iran. They were assigned randomly to two groups. The first group was under ten sessions of QOLT, and the second, as a control group, was under psycho-sexual education (PSE). General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), the Multidimentional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were completed for participants before and after the intervention. The ANCOVA model was used for analysis. Results: The findings revealed no significant differences between the two groups in mental health (GHQ-28 scores) and female sexual dysfunction, but sexual self-concept changed. Two subscales of sexual self-concept, sexual monitoring (QOLT group = 6.3 ± 2.7 vs PSE group = 4.7 ± 3.1 P < 0.05) and sexual-problem management (QOLT group = 15.4 ± 3.8 vs PSE group=13.7 ± 3.9 P < 0.05), increased significantly during QOLT. Conclusions: QOLT did not impact mental health, but it could change many dimensions of sexual self-concept.