Comparing the Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy on Vaginismus in Married Women
Keywords:
painful intercourse, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy counseling , emotion-focused counseling and psychotherapyAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and emotion-focused therapy (EFT) in reducing vaginismus symptoms and improving sexual functioning among married women.
Methodology: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The population consisted of married women aged 30–45 years attending counseling centers in District 2 of Tehran during 2024–2025. Thirty eligible participants were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (CBT and EFT; n=15 each). Both interventions were delivered in eight 80-minute sessions. Data were collected using the Reisi et al. Vaginismus Scale and analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA.
Findings: Multivariate tests revealed significant differences among the groups (p<0.001) with large effect sizes (η²=0.47–0.85). Both CBT and EFT significantly reduced sexual pain, negative feelings, fear, and avoidance compared with the control group. EFT demonstrated stronger and more sustained effects on overall vaginismus symptoms and sexual functioning, whereas CBT showed greater efficacy in modifying dysfunctional cognitions and reducing performance anxiety.
Conclusion: Although both therapeutic approaches were effective, emotion-focused therapy exhibited superior clinical benefits by addressing emotional regulation and relational dynamics underlying vaginismus.
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