Process Model of Sexual Self-Control from the Perspective of Experts within the Framework of Islamic Thought

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Islamic Humanities Higher Education Complex, Al-Mustafa Al-Aalimah University, Qom, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: Within the framework of Islamic thought, sexual self-control is both a moral virtue and an essential prerequisite for spiritual growth, individual well-being, and social stability. This research aimed to formulate and empirically validate a process model of sexual self-control by integrating the insights of religious experts and behavioral science specialists with revelatory Islamic teachings.
Method: Adopting an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, the qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 11 university and seminary experts in psychology and religious studies, selected via snowball sampling to theoretical saturation. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis via ATLAS.ti. The quantitative phase validated the qualitative model using a researcher-made 5-point Likert questionnaire administered to a stratified random sample of 213 university students. Data were evaluated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS and SmartPLS.
Findings: Qualitative analysis identified 23 organizing themes categorized into four structural components: Antecedents (mismanagement of family relations, lack of religious values in the home, weakened chastity culture, white marriage/cohabitation promotion, weak faith); Strategies (avoiding abnormal stimuli, strengthening faith, facilitating marriage, skill empowerment, Quranic/Hadith sexual education, chastity/modesty/piety, self-monitoring); Contextual Factors (addiction, poverty/unemployment, rising marriage age, hijab/clothing, extreme sensation-seeking); and Outcomes (sense of self-worth, reduced sexual deviations and high-risk behaviors, psychological peace, social security, enhanced self-monitoring). Quantitative SEM confirmed all structural causal paths (β = 0.420–0.680, p < 0.001) with strong fit indices (χ²/df = 2.858, RMSEA = 0.090, CFI = 0.887).
Conclusion: Sexual self-control in Islamic thought functions as a dynamic cognitive-spiritual and ecological process wherein personal faith and ethical self-monitoring interact with environmental buffers and social marriage support to foster emotional tranquility and social health.

Keywords

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 March 2026
  • Revise Date: 08 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 08 May 2026

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