Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Sexual Dissatisfaction and Relationship Intimacy among Nigerian Couples in Southwest, Nigeria

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on sexual satisfaction and relationship intimacy among couples in Southwest Nigeria. The study employed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, with participants randomly assigned to either the MBCT intervention group or a wait-list control group. The population of this study comprised married couples in Southwest Nigeria experiencing sexual dissatisfaction, defined as scoring below 50 on the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX). A sample of 100 couples (N=200 individuals) was recruited through purposive sampling from marital counselling clinics in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria. Couples were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=50 couples) or control group (n=50 couples). The instruments used to collect data for this study include Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX); Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR); and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). The validity and reliability of the instruments are GMSEX: Cronbach's α = 0.88; PAIR: Cronbach's α = 0.92; and MAAS: Cronbach's α = 0.85. Results from this study revealed that there is a significant difference in sexual satisfaction and relationship intimacy between Nigerian couples receiving MBCT and those in the wait-list control group, with MBCT showing improvements in both outcomes; there is a significant interaction effect between treatment group (MBCT vs. control) and time (baseline, post-intervention, follow-up) on both sexual satisfaction and relationship intimacy in Nigerian couples; and that there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of specific components of MBCT (mindfulness, cognitive restructuring) on sexual satisfaction and relationship intimacy in Southwest Nigerian couples. The study concluded that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy significantly improves sexual satisfaction and relationship intimacy among Nigerian couples in Southwest Nigeria. Hence, the study recommends the implementation of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy as a culturally sensitive intervention for Nigerian couples experiencing sexual dissatisfaction and intimacy issues.