The Effect of Psychological Interventions on Sexual and Marital Satisfaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Sexual and marital satisfaction play an important role in the stability of couples’ relationships, so it is necessary to take a proper approach to promote them. This study aimed to identify and categorize psychological interventions affecting sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction of women in Iran. METHODS: An electronic systematic review search was conducted using the Persian and English databases of SID, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, Cochran library, and Google Scholar motor engine until 2021 to identify all relevant clinical trials and experimental and quasi-experimental studies assessing the effect of psychological interventions on sexual and marital satisfaction. RESULTS: Totally, we retrieved 528 studies from the previously mentioned databases, of which, 38 met the eligibility criteria. The subgroup meta-analysis of 4 studies conducted showed that interventions based on individual consultations increase sexual satisfaction (MD: 2.94, 95% CI: −0.36 to 6.24, P= .23), (I(2) =30.83%). The subgroup meta-analysis of 10 studies conducted revealed that couple-based consultations increase marital satisfaction (MD: 5.93, 95% CI: −2.59 to 9.27, P=.95), (I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSION: The results of meta-analysis demonstrated the effect of counseling-based psychological interventions on increasing sexual and marital satisfaction of couples. However, further clinical trials are required before making a definitive conclusion.