Structural Modeling of the Relationship of Irrational Relationship Beliefs and Sexual Function With Marital Satisfaction in Iranian Men: The Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs

Objectives The present study aims to examine the relationship of irrational relationship beliefs and sexual function with marital satisfaction in Iranian men mediated by basic psychological needs. Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study using structural equation modeling. Participants were 357 men who visited the Aram clinic in Tehran (District 1), Iran, in 2022, who were selected using the purposive sampling method and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. To collect data, the ENRICH Marital Life Satisfaction Scale, Eidelson and Epstein’s Relationship Belief Inventory, Rosen et al.’s Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, and LaGuardia et al.’s Basic Needs Satisfaction in General Scale were used. were used. For statistical analysis, SEM was used in Amos software, version 24. Results The results of data analysis showed irrational relationship beliefs had a negative relationship with marital satisfaction (r=-0.41; P<0.01), while sexual function (r=0.46; P<0.01) and basic psychological needs (r=0.56; P<0.01) had a positive relationship with marital satisfaction. Also, the indirect relationship between irrational relationship beliefs and marital satisfaction was negative and significant(β=-0.189, P=0.001), and the indirect relationship between sexual function and marital satisfaction was positive and significant (β=0.116, P=0.001). Conclusion Irrational relationship beliefs and sexual function are associated with the marital satisfaction of men through basic psychological needs. Therefore, changing irrational beliefs, improving sexual function, and satisfying basic psychological needs in men can lead to improved marital satisfaction.