The Effectiveness of Teaching Feldman Integrated Approach on Emotional Intimacy and Sexual Function of Middle-Aged Women

Sexual issues constitute an important component of women’s health and well-being, affecting the quantity and quality of marital relationships. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of teaching Feldman integrated approach on emotional intimacy and sexual function of middle-aged women.

This study was an educational trial with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all women admitted to Artiman Counseling and Psychological Services Center in Mashhad in 2020. Using the availability sampling method, 30 people were selected and divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). All the subjects completed the Emotional Intimacy Questionnaire (Schaefer and Olson, 1981) and the Sexual Function Questionnaire (Rosen et al., 2000). In the experimental group, Feldman integrated approach was performed in 8 sessions (1 session per week, each session lasting 90 minutes). After the training, both groups underwent the post-test. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance.

The results showed that teaching the integrated approach improved sexual function (F=7.58, p<0.011 & Eta=0.57) and increased emotional intimacy (F=39.42, p<0.001 & Eta=0.60) in women in the experimental group as compared to the control group.

According to the results, it is necessary to plan to use integrated approach training to increase emotional intimacy and improve the sexual function of middle-aged women.