Schemas and styles of love in relation to sexual satisfaction : a guideline to marital stability / Ivy Marie P. Tan-awon. 6

Thesis (M.A.) -- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 2012.;A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate School of Arts, Sciences and Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Psychology major in Clinical Psychology. 56

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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine if there is relationship between love schemas, love styles and sexual satisfaction of couples who are in a short-and long-term marital relationships. The study also sought to find out the level of satisfaction of the respondents when they are grouped according to their gender and length of marriage. The final output will serve as the basis for the development of a program for marital stability. Specifically, the study attempted to answer questions on, first, the profile of the respondents as to gender and length of marriage. Second, it asked for the level of sexual satisfaction of the respondents. Third and Fourth, to know the level of love schemas and love styles of the respondents. Fifth and sixth, to determine if there is significant difference in the love schemas and love styles of the respondents when they are grouped according to their gender and length of marriage. Statement of the problems number seven (7) and eight (8) asked if there is a significant relationship between sexual satisfaction of the respondents and their levels of love schemas and love styles. Lastly, the results of the study that could be the basis for program development particularly on the marital stability. This study utilized the descriptive- correlational method in identifying the respondents of the study and purposive sampling for the selection of the respondents, 100 subjects for short-term marriage or couples who are married for less than five (5) years and another 100 respondents for the long-term marriage group or couples who are married for more than ten (10) years. The respondents were given three (3) standardized tests such as Love Schema Scale, Love Attitude Scale and Global Satisfaction Scale. Findings revealed that both genders are sexually satisfied in the three components of sexual satisfaction such as affective, cognitive and physical however, when they are grouped according to their length of marriage it was found out that the newly-wed couples are more sexually satisfied compare with couples who are married for longer time particularly in the physical component of sexual satisfaction. Based on the level of schemas and love styles it was found out that regardless the gender and length of marriage both groups fall in secure and clingy models of schema and fall under eros, storge, pragma and agape loves styles. In terms of sexual satisfaction, secure schema and mania together eros and agape love styles showed significant relationship to sexual satisfaction but only the agape love styles shows significant correlation in the three aspects of sexual satisfaction. Based from the findings of this study, the following are therefore recommended: 1. Married couples in short-term and long-term marriages alike should attend a seminar or workshops on how to enhance their marital stability as sexual satisfaction as mediating factor. Similarly, knowing one's love schema and love styles should also be incorporated in the said programs to instill its importance and relationship in sexual satisfaction. 2. Therapists and health professionals could also use this information to remind couples who are on the verge of separation that stability in a marital relationship is not necessarily problem free, particularly with respect to sexual adjustment. 3. There is a need for the counselors to organize lectures, workshops, etc. for married couples to enhance marital stability through discussing the importance of sexual satisfaction. They should also teach them some skills in maintaining good marital relationship by explaining to them the importance of knowing their own love schema and love style. 4. There is a need to provide counseling program to husbands to develop secure schema to achieve more satisfaction and happiness in their marital relationship. 5. For couples in a long-term marital relationship even they are living together for a longer time, it is still advisable to find opportunity or way to promote continued pair-bonding and quality time to continue to enjoy deep, intimate and affectionate connections with their spouses. 6. Practicing Agape love style and secure schema can counter many problems at the outset. It helps to heal wounds, cover faults, and forgive in a large way to keep the marriage vital and intact.

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