Does Loneliness Following Empty Nest Impair Sexual Function and Satisfaction of Middle-Aged Iranian Women?

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of empty nest syndrome with sexual function and satisfaction. In this cross-sectional study 460 middle-aged women (40–60 years) from 10 public health centers in Ahvaz, Iran were recruited. Four questionnaires including demographic, University of California Los Angeles loneliness scale, Female Sexual Function Index and Larson Sexual Satisfaction were used to collect data. The Pearson correlation coefficient and linear and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. The mean scores of loneliness, sexual satisfaction and sexual function were 52.7 ± 17.9, 61.7 ± 29.3 and 16.6 ± 10.4 respectively. There was a significant correlation between loneliness and sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain. After adjusting for confounding variables, only loneliness, employment, and economic situation were significantly related to sexual function. For each unit increase in the level of loneliness, the sexual satisfaction decreased by 0.84. Employed women compared to the housewife women and the moderate and good economic situation compared to the weak economic situation increased the sexual satisfaction by 0.07, 0.11 and 0.1 respectively. Middle-aged women with empty nest syndrome have reduced sexual function and satisfaction. Loneliness may reduce sexual function and satisfaction, while employment, the moderate and good economic situation may significantly increase sexual function and satisfaction.