title: Relationship between Gender Roles and Sexual Assertiveness in Married Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence indicates that sexual assertiveness is one of the important factors affecting sexual satisfaction. According to some studies, traditional gender norms conflict with women's capability in expressing sexual desires. This study examined the relationship between gender roles and sexual assertiveness in married women in Mashhad, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 women who referred to Mashhad health centers through convenient sampling in 2014-15. Data were collected using Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and Hulbert index of sexual assertiveness. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 by Pearson and Spearman's correlation tests and linear Regression Analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean scores of sexual assertiveness was 54.93±13.20. According to the findings, there was non-significant correlation between Femininity and masculinity score with sexual assertiveness (P=0.069 and P=0.080 respectively). Linear regression analysis indicated that among the predictor variables, only Sexual function satisfaction was identified as the sexual assertiveness summary predictor variables (P=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the results, sexual assertiveness in married women does not comply with gender role, but it is related to Sexual function satisfaction. So, counseling psychologists need to consider this variable when designing intervention programs for modifying sexual assertiveness and find other variables that affect sexual assertiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Azmoude
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahbobe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Firoozi
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Elahe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sadeghi Sahebzad
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Neghar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Asgharipour
keywords:  Gender identity;  Masculinity;  Sexual behavior; Femininity