Evaluating Correlation of General Self-Concept with Sexual Self-Concept in Infertile Women

Background: General self-concept refers to a set of feelings and perceptions toward oneself, and sexual self-concept is defined as individual's perception of his/her sexual feelings and actions. These two concepts are affected by various life problems, including infertility. The present study aimed to determine correlation of general self-concept and sexual self-concept in infertile women. Methods: The descriptive correlational study was carried out on all infertile women who visited the Gorgan Infertility Center in ۲۰۱۸. Overall, ۱۰۵ eligible infertile women were included in the study via convenience sampling. Data were collected using Persian versions of the Rogers self-concept questionnaire and the Snell sexual self-concept questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Pearson and Spearman's correlation tests in SPSS ۱۶ and at significance of ۰.۰۵. Results: Mean age of subjects was ۲۸.۸۸±۵.۱۴ years (range: ۱۷ and ۴۰ years). Based on the findings, ۱۹% of the participants had normal general self-concept, ۳۱.۴% had moderate self-concept, and ۴۹.۵% had weak self-concept. Mean scores of positive sexual self-concept, negative self-concept and situational sexual self-concept were ۱۱۸.۹±۲۴.۸۵, ۱۳.۳۳±۸.۹۴ and ۴۱.۹۸±۱۰.۵۳, respectively. There was no correlation between general self-concept and different dimensions of sexual self-concept of the infertile women. Conclusion: Due to the lack of correlation between general self-concept and sexual self-concept in infertile women, it is suggested to conduct evaluations and interventions on the general and sexual self-concepts of the participants separately.

Keywords:

General self-concept , Sexual self-concept , correlation , infertile women