Role of Assertiveness and Self-Consciousness in the Prediction of Female Sexual Functioning

Sexual relationship is of crucial importance in cementing and maintaining the marital relationship. Sexual problems may beset and plague the couples in their marital and sexual relationship. Assertiveness as the individual’s ability in evincing، advancing and safeguarding his interest without experiencing anxiety and violating individuals’ right and sexual self-consciousness as assessing the attentional procedure in sexual behavior (sexual self-centralization and shame) can affect marital and sexual relationship. Hence، the present study aims at assessing the role of assertiveness and self-consciousness in the prediction of women’s sexual functioning. Therefore، the sample comprised 120 female married individuals drawn from a larger group of clients referred to the counseling centers located in Gonbad Province who were selected through convenience sampling and tested with regard to assertiveness، sexual self-consciousness and female sexual functioning. Results which were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis indicated that there exists a positive، significant relationship between assertiveness، sexual self-consciousness and female sexual functioning. The designed model shows that 35 percent of the total variance in the scores of sexual functioning is explained by assertiveness and sexual self-consciousness. Moreover، women who score higher on assertiveness and lower on sexual self-consciousness demonstrate better sexual functioning.