Association between sexual dysfunction, self-esteem and sexual satisfaction in women

ABSTRACT Backround: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships among female sexual dysfunction, self-esteem and sexual satisfaction. Method: The participants of the study were 321 women who applied for any sexual disorders to the Polyclinics of Gynecology of y Education and Research Hospital, x, Turkey. Their age ranged from 18 to 56. The participants completed a personal information form prepared by researcher, the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory developed by Stanley Coopersmith (1986) and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction validated by Tuğrul (1988). Results: The results indicated that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and self-esteem were moderately negatively correlated (r= -.598, p<.01). FSD and sexual satisfaction were strongly positively correlated (r= .712, p<.01). Sexual satisfaction and self-esteem were moderately negatively correlated (r= -.472, p <.01). These findings reveal that the higher sexual dysfunction women have the less self-esteem they have and the less sexual satisfaction they experience. Conclusion: With the proper treatment of sexual dysfunction and interventions for improving the self-esteem, women can evaluate themselves in a more positive way and become more sexually satisfied. Thus, it is very significant to teach sexuality in a correct way and to increase sexual education and awareness among women.