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Sexual Dissatisfaction in a Sample of Married Iranian Women

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Abstract

This article investigates the sexual relationships of dissatisfied couples from the viewpoint of the female spouse. There are two basic approaches toward sexual dissatisfaction: the first regards sexual dissatisfaction as the cause of marital dissatisfaction; the second asserts that marital dissatisfaction leads to sexual dissatisfaction. This study aims at an understanding of the causes and mechanisms of women’s sexual dissatisfaction and its relationship to marital dissatisfaction. The research was organized using the Grounded theory for a holistic and deep understanding of the phenomenon. Findings drawn from the interviews with 20 severely sexually dissatisfied women indicated a discrepancy between the attitudes of men and women toward sexual relationships. This difference builds a sense of sexual inequality amongst women. This is accompanied by an increased importance of sexual satisfaction compared to the past, or “sexualization” of marital relationships and the resulting sexual dissatisfaction within women. Our study suggests that marital dissatisfaction may precede and cause sexual dissatisfaction and that this link ultimately becomes reciprocal.

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Acknowledgments

First, we should thank all the participants who have put much trust in us and granted us their experiences. Next, our special thanks go to all interviewers, and to my colleagues, especially, Mahshid Shahidi and Nahid Hajvalizade, experts and specialists in the field of the family in Tehran. Respected officials and personnel of Amene Orphan Asylum also deserve our sincere thanks because of their full collaboration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Contemporary Studies on Asia (ICSA), Tehran, Iran

    Meisam Haddadi Barzoki

  2. Azzahra University, Tehran, Iran

    Nina Seyedroghani

  3. Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

    Taghi Azadarmaki

Authors
  1. Meisam Haddadi Barzoki
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  2. Nina Seyedroghani
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  3. Taghi Azadarmaki
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Correspondence to Meisam Haddadi Barzoki.

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Barzoki, M.H., Seyedroghani, N. & Azadarmaki, T. Sexual Dissatisfaction in a Sample of Married Iranian Women. Sexuality & Culture 17, 244–259 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-012-9149-y

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