Recent Innovations in Psychology

Recent Innovations in Psychology

The Mediating Role of Trait Anxiety in the Relationship Between Physical Self-description and Negative Perfectionism with Sexual Performance Among Women with Vaginismus

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 MSc. in General Psychology, Bahar Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Bahar Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
The current study aimed to explore the mediating role of trait anxiety in the relationship between physical self-description and negative perfectionism with sexual performance among women diagnosed with Vaginismus. A sample of 280 women with Vaginismus was selected via convenience sampling. The data was collected using the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ), the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (PANPS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Female Sexual Performance Index (FSFI). Path analysis was employed to analyze the data. The results revealed that both physical self-description and negative perfectionism exert a direct and substantial influence on the sexual performance of the participants (P < 0.01). Moreover, the indirect effects of physical self-description and negative perfectionism on sexual performance, mediated through trait anxiety, were also found to be significant (P < 0.01). The findings indicated a relationship between physical self-description and negative perfectionism with sexual performance in women with Vaginismus. Furthermore, trait anxiety functions as a mediating role in this relationship. It appears that these findings could assist therapists in aiding patients suffering from Vaginismus.
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  • Receive Date 08 May 2024
  • Revise Date 24 May 2024
  • Accept Date 30 May 2024
  • First Publish Date 04 June 2024