Sexual self-schema: a cognitive schema and its relationship to choice of contraceptive method among Polish women

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine sexual self-schema in women using different methods of contraception.

Methods: Women (N = 560) aged 18–55 years were divided into two groups: those who used hormonal contraception (n = 285) and those who used non-hormonal contraception (n = 275). Participants were assessed using the Sexual Self-Schema Scale (SSSS), the Well-Matched Marriage Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and were also asked to fill in a structured questionnaire, giving information on their socioeconomic status, reproductive and medical history, sexual behaviours, psychosexual orientation, sexual experience and type of contraception used.

Results: Women in the hormonal group scored lower on romantic, passionate and direct subscales of the SSSS, compared with women in the non-hormonal group. Of the total sample, 35% were classified as positive schematic. Women in the hormonal group were found to be more negative schematic and aschematic as well as less co-schematic compared with women in the non-hormonal group. Furthermore, women in the hormonal group were significantly less religious and perceived their self-evaluated weight to be higher compared with women in the non-hormonal group. Logistic regression revealed that negative schematic (odds ratio [OR] 6.6) and aschematic women (OR 3.7), as well as women with more deliveries (OR 1.6), were more likely to choose hormonal contraception.

Conclusion: A sexual self-schema might be a relevant factor affecting the choice of contraceptive method. All women seeking hormonal contraception who are aschematic or negative schematic should consult with a sexual medicine specialist, because those individuals may have more profound reasons underlying their need for this type of contraception.

摘要

目的：本研究目的是检查采用不同避孕方法的女性性自我图式。

方法：年龄在18-55岁之间的女性（N = 560）被分为两组：采用激素避孕药的女性（n = 285）和采用非激素避孕药的女性（n = 275）。参与者采用性自我图式量表（SSSS）, 匹配良好的婚姻问卷和医院焦虑与抑郁量表进行评估, 并被要求填写结构化问卷, 提供有关其社会经济状况、生殖和病史信息、性行为、性心理取向、性经验和采用的避孕方式。

结果：与非激素组女性相比, 激素组女性在SSSS的浪漫、热情和直接分量表上得分较低。在总样本中, 35％被归类为阳性图式。与非激素组女性相比, 激素组女性被发现更负面的图式和非视图以及更少的共同图式。此外, 激素组女性宗教信仰显著较少, 并且与非激素组女性相比自我评估的体重更高。Logistic回归分析显示阴性图式（优势比[OR] 6.6）和非视图女性（OR 3.7）以及分娩较多的女性（OR 1.6）更有可能选择激素避孕。

结论：性自我图式可能是影响避孕方法选择的相关因素。所有寻求激素避孕药的女性都应该咨询性医学专家, 因为这些人可能有更深层次的原因需要这种类型的避孕方法。

Keywords:

• Cognitive schema
• contraception
• psychology
• sexual self-schema
• women

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.