Comparing the effectiveness of sexual skills training and communication skills training on the sexual attitudes of married women

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of sexual skills training and communication skills training on the sexual attitudes of married women. The statistical population of the present study consisted of all married women aged 18 to 45 years old in Tabriz in 2014.

Methods: The quasi-experimental research design consisted of three groups (pre-test and post-test) using a comparative method. Individuals were randomly placed into three groups with 15 individuals each: a sexual skills training group, a communication skills training group and a control group. All individuals were tested before starting the training sessions. The two experimental groups received educational interventions consisting of eight sessions of 60 to 90 minutes, while the control group did not receive any training. Following the training sessions, all groups completed a post-test. The Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (SKAS) was used to collect the data; covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the results.

Results: Based on the analysis, the results of a consequential least significant difference (LSD) test indicated a significant difference between the communication skills training method and the sexual skills training method in their roles in affecting women’s sexual attitudes positively. The P value for the communication skills group was 0.014 and 0.914 for the sexual skills group, indicating the communication skills training method was more effective. Differences are considered statistically significant at P>0.05.

Conclusions: Communication skills training can have a positive impact on sexual attitudes and may be a preferred training option to reduce couples’ sexual problems.