Prediction of sexual health among healthcare professionals based on irrational beliefs and perceived social support

Authors

1 Ph.D. student of psychology, Department of Psychology, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

2 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

10.22038/jfmh.2025.26460

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual health is an essential dimension of overall health that influences individuals' lives across all ages and stages, preventing the breakdown of family structures. The present study aimed to determine the correlation between sexual health, irrational beliefs, and perceived social support among healthcare professionals.
 
Materials and Methods: The study population of this descriptive-correlational study consisted of all healthcare professionals working in hospitals and medical centers in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2022. Five hundred participants were selected using stratified random sampling based on gender, age range, and professional rank in the medical center. Data collection tools included the Manavipour Sexual Health Questionnaire, the Ahvaz Irrational Beliefs Questionnaire, and the Zimet Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. All questionnaires demonstrated acceptable convergent validity and composite reliability. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and Smart PLS software.
 Results: The results indicated a significant negative correlation (-0.51) between irrational beliefs and sexual health, as well as a significant positive correlation (0.60) between perceived social support and sexual health (P< 0.05). Additionally, the findings showed that irrational beliefs explained 39.6% of the variance in sexual health among healthcare professionals, while perceived social support accounted for 39.7% of the variance.
Conclusion: Sexual health among healthcare professionals can be predicted by the variables of irrational beliefs and perceived social support. It is recommended that psychologists and health professionals pay special attention to these factors to improve and enhance the sexual health of healthcare staff and increase their overall productivity.
 

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 3
May and June 2025
Pages 173-180

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