Author = Narges Nasr Esfahani
Psychology of Women and Family

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Couple Therapy on Sexual Satisfaction and Self-Differentiation in Women Affected by Infidelity

Volume 7, Issue 4, Winter 2026, Pages 83-92

https://doi.org/10.22034/jwir.2025.2070476.1031

Narges Nasr Esfahani, Hassan Khoshakhlagh

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based couple therapy on sexual satisfaction and self-differentiation among women affected by infidelity. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and control group. The statistical population included women affected by infidelity in Isfahan during the third quarter of 2023. A sample of 30 participants was selected through purposive sampling from the available population and assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (1998) and the Drake and Murdock Self-Differentiation Questionnaire (2015). The mindfulness-based couple therapy intervention was conducted in accordance with Gerhart’s (2012) protocol over nine 90-minute sessions for the experimental group. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results showed that mindfulness-based couple therapy had a significant effect on sexual satisfaction (P<0.05) and self-differentiation (P<0.05). These findings suggest that mindfulness-based couple therapy can be an effective intervention for enhancing sexual satisfaction and strengthening self-differentiation among women affected by infidelity.