The mediating role of anxiety in the relationship between self-confidence and sexual distress in women

This study was conducted to determine whether anxiety has a mediating role in the relationship between self-confidence and sexual distress (stress) in women. In addition to this purpose, this study determines whether self-confidence, sexual distress (stress), and anxiety differ in women according to various demographic characteristics. In this study, female self-confidence scale, female sexual distress scale and beck anxiety scale were applied to the participants. 421 women with active sexual life living within the borders of the Republic of Turkey participated in the study. In the analysis of the data, firstly, the minimum and maximum values and frequency distributions of each variable were examined in order to examine the accuracy of the data. Afterwards, normality tests were examined, it was observed that the data were normally distributed and it was decided to use parametric tests. Number, percentage, mean and standard deviation, kurtosis, skewness and Cronbach's alpha values were used in the analysis of descriptive data. Regression analyzes were applied to examine the mediator role of anxiety in the relationship between self-confidence and sexual distress in women. Regression analyzes were performed using the Hayes macro (version 3.5.2) in SPSS. It is aimed to write the discussion with the findings obtained. Independent groups t-test and ANOVA analysis were used to compare women's self-confidence, sexual distress and anxiety scores according to demographic variables. Scheffe and Tamhane's T2 post hoc tests were used to determine which groups differed after ANOVA. The findings of the study determined that anxiety has a significant partial mediator role on self-confidence and sexual distress in women. It was determined that there was no significant difference in sexual distress, anxiety and self-confidence scores in the examination made according to demographic variables such as age, educational status, having a child, employment status and the first sexual information source. In the analysis made according to relationship status, no significant difference was found in anxiety and self-confidence levels, but it was determined that the level of sexual distress differed. In the examination made according to the frequency of sexual intercourse, while the level of anxiety did not differ, it was found that the level of self-confidence and sexual distress differed. In the examination made according to the level of sexual knowledge, it was determined that there was a significant difference in sexual distress, anxiety and self-confidence scores. It was determined that there was a significant difference in sexual distress, anxiety and self-confidence scores in the examination made according to the evaluation of sexual life. It was determined that there was a significant difference in sexual distress, anxiety and self-confidence scores in the examination made according to the status of having sexual problems.