The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation in the Relationship Between Sexual Mindfulness and Relational Quality in a Sample of Iranian Women

Abstract

Mindfulness during sex has shown many positive relational and sexual outcomes. However, little is known about the ways in which sexual mindfulness works to improve an individual’s experience. This study investigated the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between sexual mindfulness and relational quality in a sample of Iranian women. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling method, we examined data from 265 women aged 19 to 50 years (M = 31.76, SD = 8.47). Results showed a significant positive relationship between relational quality and sexual mindfulness (p < .001, β = .13), sexual mindfulness and reappraisal strategy (p < .001, β = .65), and relational quality and reappraisal strategy (p < .001, β = .78). The reduction of the path coefficient in the full mediation model compared to the direct model indicating a partial mediation role of the reappraisal strategy was confirmed in relation to sexual mindfulness and relational quality. These findings may help identify one path, emotion regulation, through which sexual mindfulness works. This study provides psychologists and counselors evidence that both sexual mindfulness and emotion regulation are positive skills that likely improve the quality of their clients’ relationships.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants who voluntarily agreed to participate in this research. Their patience and willingness to contribute to the study are much appreciated.

Authors contributions

The first author wrote the text and performed the data analysis, the third author edited the text, the fourth author did the native editing, and the second author did the final editing of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

10.6084/m9.figshare.24260275

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.