Structural Model Explaining Sexual Variety-Seeking Based on Cognitive Dissonance: The Mediating Role of Communication Patterns
Keywords:
Cognitive Dissonance, Communication Patterns, Sexual Variety, SeekingAbstract
Introduction and Aim: Sexual variety-seeking is an important factor associated with the quality and stability of marital relationships and may be influenced by cognitive conflicts and couples’ interaction patterns. This study aimed to test a structural model explaining sexual variety-seeking based on cognitive dissonance, considering the mediating role of communication patterns among married men.
Methodology: This fundamental, descriptive-correlational study employed structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of married men aged 25–45 years attending cultural centers in Tehran in 2025, of whom 250 were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Sexual Variety-Seeking Scale developed by Aref-Nazari et al., the Cognitive Dissonance Arousal and Reduction Questionnaire developed by Harmon-Jones, and the Communication Patterns Questionnaire developed by Christensen and Sullaway. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 and AMOS through structural equation modeling and bootstrapping procedures.
Findings: The proposed structural model demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data (CMIN/DF=2.447, GFI=0.96, AGFI=0.91, IFI=0.97, CFI=0.97, NFI=0.96, and RMSEA=0.07). Cognitive dissonance had a significant positive direct effect on sexual variety-seeking (β=0.308, p=0.001) and significantly predicted communication patterns (β=0.323, p=0.001). Communication patterns also had a significant positive effect on sexual variety-seeking (β=0.394, p=0.002). Furthermore, the indirect effect of cognitive dissonance on sexual variety-seeking through communication patterns was statistically significant (β=0.127, p=0.001). The total effect of cognitive dissonance on sexual variety-seeking was also significant (β=0.435, p=0.001).
Conclusion: Communication patterns mediated the relationship between cognitive dissonance and sexual variety-seeking among married men. Accordingly, psychological and couple-based interventions aimed at reducing cognitive dissonance and modifying dysfunctional communication patterns may contribute to reducing sexual variety-seeking tendencies and improving the quality and stability of marital relationships.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Massoud Ghanbari (Author); Afsaneh Boostan; Pantea Jahangir (Author)
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