Effect of Marital Relationship Enhancement EducationBased on the Approach of Religious Teachingson Sexual, Spiritual and Mental Health

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of marital relationship enhancement education based on the approach of religious teachings on different dimensions of sexual, spiritual, and mental health in married women. Methods: This interventional study with a control group was carried out from November 2021 to February 2022 in Amol, Iran. A total of 72 married women were included in two groups, including an intervention group and a control group. The subjects of the intervention group received marital relationship enhancement based on religious teachings in six two-hour group sessions once a week. Participants in the two groups completed the female sexual function index (FSFI), spiritual well-being scale (SWB) and general mental ‌health questionnaires (GHQ) before and after the end of the intervention. The Independent and paired t-tests, Chi-square test, and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Results: The mean scores of female sexual function, spiritual well-being, and mental health were 25.96±3.69, 95.82±14.31 and 21.17±12.56, respectively. The mean values of sexual function (P<0.001) and also its dimensions, including arousal (P<0.001), lubricant (P<0.001), orgasm (P<0.001), satisfaction (P<0.001) and sexual pain (P=0.044) were different between the two groups. The mean scores of spiritual well-being and its dimensions, including religious well-being and existential well-being were different between the two groups (P<0.001). The mean scores of general mental health and its dimensions, including anxiety and insomnia symptoms, social dysfunction, and depression symptoms were different between the two groups (P<0.001). The mean pre-to-post test scores of female sexual function, spiritual well-being, general mental health, and its domains (except for sexual desire and somatic symptoms) increased significantly in the intervention group (P<0.001). The differences in the control group were not significant in any of the above cases. Conclusion: Marital relationship enhancement education based on religious teachings is recommended for promoting sexual function, religious well-being, and general mental health among married women.