Doživljaj tijela, seksualnost i kvaliteta partnerskog odnosa u različitim fazama tranzicije u roditeljstvo

How are objective characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and PCOS-related concerns associated with the sexual and relational satisfaction of PCOS women and their partners? Both objective PCOS characteristics (parity, women's body mass index (BMI) and current unfulfilled wish to conceive) and PCOS-related concerns (women's infertility-related and acne-related concerns) were associated with sexual and/or relational satisfaction, although some associations differed for PCOS women and their partners. There is some evidence indicating an association between objective PCOS characteristics and sexual satisfaction of PCOS women, but this evidence is conflicting, scarce, and often validated questionnaires have not been used to evaluate sexual satisfaction. No evidence is available about the association of: (i) PCOS with relational satisfaction; (ii) PCOS-related concerns with sexual and relational satisfaction; and (iii) PCOS with sexual and relational satisfaction as experienced by partners of PCOS women. We set up a cross-sectional study from April 2007 until April 2009, including 31 overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) women with PCOS and at a reproductive age as well as their partners with whom they had a committed intimate relationship at the time of recruitment. The study was performed at the fertility center of the Ghent University Hospital. Objective PCOS characteristics were registered and PCOS-related concerns were evaluated by the PCOS Questionnaire. Sexual (SS) and relational (RS) satisfaction were measured by the Maudsley Marital Questionnaire (MMQ). Dyadic statistical analyses were performed using linear mixed models (α < 0.05). A lower parity tended to be associated with higher levels of sexual and relational satisfaction, with a significantly stronger association in PCOS women than in their partners (p(SS) = 0.015 and p(RS) = 0.009). A higher BMI tended to be associated with lower and higher satisfaction levels (sexual and relational) in PCOS women and their partners, respectively, with a significantly stronger association in the partners (p(SS) = 0.029 and p(RS) = 0.021). The presence of a current unfulfilled wish to conceive and a higher level of infertility-related concerns was significantly more strongly associated with a higher level of relational satisfaction for PCOS women than for their partners (p(RS) = 0.021 and p(RS) = 0.011, respectively). Higher levels of acne-related concern were significantly associated with lower levels of sexual satisfaction in both PCOS women (p(SS) = 0.025) and their partners (p(SS) = 0.002). The fact that this study was performed in a sample of PCOS women who were all overweight and the small sample size are important limitations. Data were partially missing in some couples but this limitation was dealt with by using linear mixed models. Our results suggest a differential association of PCOS with sexual and relational satisfaction between PCOS women and their partners. This should be kept in mind during the psychological guidance of couples dealing with PCOS. V.D.F. is holder of a Special PhD Fellowship of the Flemish Foundation for Scientific Research (FWO-Vlaanderen). P.D.S. is holder of a fundamental clinical research mandate of the Flemish Foundation for Scientific Research (FWO-Vlaanderen). This research also received financial support by Merck Serono and Artevelde University College Ghent. There are no competing interests.

Background: Marital and sexual satisfaction are essential for conjugal bliss and harmony. However, stress in the workplace can influence sexual and marital satisfaction of couples. There is dearth of information about level of sexual and marital satisfaction among healthcare workers in Nigeria, as well as the connections between stress, sexual and marital satisfaction among healthcare workers. Purpose: This study assessed inter-relationship between perceived stress, sexual and marital satisfaction among married healthcare workers.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach among 150 consented healthcare workers recruited using a simple random sampling technique. Instruments for data collection included the Perceived Stress Scale, Enrich Marital Satisfaction questionnaire and Pinney Sexual Satisfaction Inventory. The Pearson correlation was used to ascertain relationships and linear regression was done to predict influence of one variable on the other.Results: Perceived level of stress of the healthcare workers was low [16.9(0.001)] and mean sexual satisfaction (SS) was poor [78.93(23.68)]. Also, 49.3% were found to be the dissatisfied maritally. Perceived stress showed a positive correlation with marital satisfaction (MS) (r=0.48, p&lt;0.01). However, stress negatively correlated with participants’ SS with partners (r=-0.51, p&lt;0.01). Similarly, general SS positively correlated with MS (r=0.32, p&lt;0.01). Predictors of MS included perceived stress (β=0.614, p=0.01), age differences with spouse (β=0.30, p=0.01), number of children (β=-0.24, p=0.01), and family type (β=-0.21, p=0.05).Conclusion: Only half of the participants in this study are maritally satisfied. Marital satisfaction increases with sexual satisfaction. Stress is correlated with reduced sexual satisfaction of the participant, and as number of children increases, marital satisfaction reduces. Couples should be encouraged to give birth to moderate number of children to improve marital satisfaction.

The current research used two 8-wave longitudinal studies spanning the first 4-5 years of 207 marriages to examine the potential bidirectional associations among marital satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sex. All three variables declined over time, though the rate of decline in each variable became increasingly less steep. Controlling for these changes, own marital and sexual satisfaction were bidirectionally positively associated with one another; higher levels of marital satisfaction at one wave of assessment predicted more positive changes in sexual satisfaction from that assessment to the next and higher levels of sexual satisfaction at one wave of assessment predicted more positive changes in marital satisfaction from that assessment to the next. Likewise, own sexual satisfaction and frequency of sex were bidirectionally positively associated with one another. Additionally, partner sexual satisfaction positively predicted changes in frequency of sex and own sexual satisfaction among husbands, yet partner marital satisfaction negatively predicted changes in both frequency of sex and own sexual satisfaction. Controlling these associations, marital satisfaction did not directly predict changes in frequency of sex or vice versa. Only the association between partner sexual satisfaction and changes in own sexual satisfaction varied across men and women and none of the key effects varied across the studies. These findings suggest that sexual and relationship satisfaction are intricately intertwined and thus that interventions to treat and prevent marital distress may benefit by targeting the sexual relationship and interventions to treat and prevent sexual distress in marriage may benefit by targeting the marital relationship.

(022) Measures of Sexual Functioning, Particularly Pain Functioning, are Imperfect Predictors of Women’s Sexual Pleasure

This cross-sectional study examined the role of maternal body image and body image self-consciousness in sexual satisfaction and intercourse frequency during pregnancy when controlling for satisfaction with partnership. Pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy (N = 150) participated in the study. Body image was measured by the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS) and Body Image Self-Consciousness Scale (BISC), while relationship satisfaction was measured by different subscales of the Perceived Quality of Marital Relationship (PQMR) Scale. Sexual satisfaction was also measured by one of the subscales of the PQMR (Intimate Relationship). The sexual behavior questionnaire comprised questions about frequency of sexual intercourse, desire, and other aspects of sexual functioning as well as the reasons that might prevent women from having intercourse during pregnancy. Findings suggested that satisfaction with body image and body image self-consciousness were related to sexual satisfaction. Nevertheless, other aspects of partnership, such as communication, appeared to be much more important predictors of sexual satisfaction than body image variables. The best predictor of sexual frequency was fear that intercourse might harm the fetus. Implications for education about sexuality issues in pregnancy are discussed.

We investigated the sexual relationships of married Chinese men and women living in Beijing and Shanghai. Within the framework of the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction (IEMSS), we also examined factors related to sexual satisfaction. Completed questionnaires were returned by 193 men and 231 women. In general, respondents reported moderate levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction. Overall, respondents were neither erotophobic nor erotophilic and reported a frequency of affectionate and sexual behavior between “2 or 3 times a month” and “once or twice a week” and at least one sexual concern and for problem. Contrary to predictions based on the cultural message that sexual pleasure is restricted to men, the women reported significantly greater sexual satisfaction than did the men, and men and women did not differ in their reports of sexual rewards or relationship satisfaction. Further, men described their sexual relationship as more costly than did women. However, women reported more sexual concerns than did men and were also more erotophobic. Men reported more sexual concerns for their partner than women did for their partner. Strong support was found for the IEMSS, such that the more that rewards exceeded costs, relative rewards exceeded relative costs, one's levels of rewards and costs were perceived to be equal to one's partner's, and the greater the relationship satisfaction, the greater the level of sexual satisfaction. Greater sexual satisfaction was also associated with a greater frequency of affectionate and sexual behavior, fewer sexual concerns and problems, and greater relationship satisfaction. These results are discussed in the context of the impact of official repression of many forms of sexual expression in China in the past and the need for enhancement of the sexual relationships of Chinese men and women.

Body image disturbance has permeated Western society and is experienced by women and men of all ages and life stages (Grogan, 2016). Further, body dissatisfaction is associated with behavioural, psychological, physical, and interpersonal consequences (Cash, 2012; Grogan, 2016; Thompson, Heinberg, Altabe, & Tantleff-Dunn, 1999). Accordingly, body image literature has expanded exponentially over the past 30 years. However, prominent gaps remain within the literature, three of which are considered in this thesis. These are: the trajectory, prevalence and cohort effects of body image disturbance across the adult lifespan for women and men, body dissatisfaction in midlife women, and the role body image disturbance plays in romantic relationships. The first of the three empirical papers examined patterns of developmental change and cohort effects in body image across the male and female adult lifespan. Body satisfaction was assessed in longitudinal data spanning six years, from 2010 to 2015. Cohort sequential latent growth curve modelling was utilized to assess patterns of mean-level change due to both aging and cohort effects in 15264 participants (62.9% women) aged between 19 – 74 years (M= 46.55, SD= 14.24). Results demonstrated a slight increase in body satisfaction across the lifespan for both men and women. Examination of cohort effects revealed that for women aged 54 years and below, all but two cohorts (24 – 29 & 34 – 39 years) displayed an upward trajectory in their body satisfaction over the 5-year period of assessment. No consistent cohort effects were evident for men. Finally, men consistently displayed higher levels of body satisfaction compared to women across the lifespan. This study provided insights into the trajectory of body image across the lifespan for men and women. The findings also suggest that body image may be improving for women in recent years. The second of the three empirical papers investigated the applicability of the Tripartite Influence Model (TIM) to midlife women. Female participants (N=206) aged 40-55 years (M = 46.75, SD = 4.54) completed measures related to sociocultural pressures, thin-ideal internalisation, appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction, bulimic symptoms, restrained eating, and psychological distress. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the model. As predicted, greater peer and media pressure were associated with greater appearance comparison which in turn was associated with greater body dissatisfaction. Also as predicted, greater body dissatisfaction was associated with greater restrained eating and bulimic symptoms, which in turn were associated with greater psychological distress. Contrary to predictions, none of the sociocultural influences were associated with thin-ideal internalization, and family pressure was not associated with appearance comparison. Furthermore, appearance comparison was not associated with body dissatisfaction. A number of unpredicted associations also emerged. Family and media pressure were directly associated with body dissatisfaction, and peer pressure was directly associated with psychological distress. Furthermore, unpredicted direct associations were also found between thin-ideal internalisation and disordered eating, and between appearance comparison and both bulimic symptoms and psychological distress. Overall, the findings provided partial support for applicability of the TIM for midlife women. The third of the three empirical papers sought to advance understanding of the associations between body image and relationship outcomes within heterosexual romantic relationships. In two studies (Study 1: N = 197 couples, Mage = 22.99; Study 2: N = 97 couples, Mage = 25.36), both members of dating and/or married couples reported on their body image, perceptions of partner’s attraction to the self, own attraction toward the partner, and relationship satisfaction. Study 2 also incorporated measures of participants’ body mass index (BMI) and sexual satisfaction. Across both studies, women who had poorer body image perceived their partner to be less attracted to them (irrespective of their partners’ actual attraction to them or how attracted they were to their partner), which in turn was associated with lower relationship and sexual satisfaction. For men, attraction to their partner was consistently associated with their own relationship satisfaction. Results demonstrated that projection biases are a possible mechanism through which body image is associated with romantic relationship outcomes. In sum, the results of this compendium of research speak to important aspects within the body image literature. Namely, results suggest that body dissatisfaction appears to improve across the female and male lifespan, and appears to be improving in younger cohorts. Further, we find that the Tripartite Influence Model (Thompson et al., 1999) is partially applicable to midlife female populations. Finally, the last two studies suggest that projection biases are a potential mechanism through which body image may impede upon romantic relationship outcomes.

Relationship and sexual satisfaction among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) has received little research attention. This article reports on a longitudinal investigation of the impact of coping style and illness-related variables among people with MS and the general population on sexual and relationship functioning. Both men (n = 120) and women (n= 201) with MS and men (n = 79) and women (n = 160) from the general population participated in the study at two points in time, 6 months apart. People with MS experienced lower levels of sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction and higher levels of sexual dysfunction. Generally speaking, the time 1 levels of the health and coping variables explained little of the variance in the time 2 sexual and relationship variables. However, sexual activity at time 1 contributed significant unique variance to relationship satisfaction at time 2 for MS men, and coping strategies at time I contributed to relationship satisfaction among general population women at time 2. Furthermore, for those respondents who had been diagnosed with MS for less than 7 years, levels of sexual activity at time 2 were predicted by levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction, as well as levels of sexual activity at time 1. These results suggest that strategies used to cope with illness may not play a major role in sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, an examination of these strategies over a longer time frame is needed.

A previous study reported that a significant proportion of women who undergo tubal sterilization experienced changes in their menstrual cycle (30%), had lower abdominal pain (35%), and reported changes in their sexual relationships (23)%. Other studies estimated that up to 20% of these women—especially those sterilized at a young age—regret their decision to be sterilized. Although there have been few published studies on the level of satisfaction or sexual problems or other sexual outcomes among women after tubal ligation, available data suggest that most women experience no decline in sexual satisfaction. One study found an increase in both sexual satisfaction and sexual drive following sterilization. This population-based telephone survey compared the prevalence of sexual problems and overall sexual and relationship satisfaction among sterilized and nonsterilized sexually active, heterosexual Australian women. The survey was conducted using random-digit dialing in 2004 and 2005. The respondents were 3448 women with a mean age of 42 years (range, 16-64 years) who were in a regular relationship. The data was adjusted using logistical regression to control for sociodemographic differences among the participants. A total of 447 (16.4%) among a weighted sample of 2721 women with a mean age of 49.4 years reported having had a tubal ligation. Compared to nonsterilized women, sterilized women were significantly less likely to lose interest in having sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.89), to take too long to reach orgasm (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96), to have vaginal dryness during sex (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96), and to not find sex pleasurable (aOR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.90). In addition, sterilized women were also more likely to experience extremely high levels of sexual satisfaction (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.27-2.18), and to experience extremely high levels of both sexual pleasure (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.20―2.12) and relationship satisfaction (aOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.01―1.67). The investigators conclude from these findings that the sexual life of sterilized women does not differ from that of other women with respect to sexual satisfaction, sexual problems, or other sexual outcomes.

Objectives: According to previous researches marital satisfaction has various patterns during family life cycle; meanwhile, there are only few studies showing a correlation between sexual and marital satisfaction in different stages of family life cycle. Therefore, the current study was designed to assess long-term female marital and sexual satisfaction in intimate relationships Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 266 married women in different stages of their life family cycle recruited in the study through cluster random sampling technique. Outcomes measurement was carried out using three questionnaires: demographic, ENRICH marital satisfaction, and Larson sexual satisfaction. Results: In this study, 24.4% of the women reported a high level of marital satisfaction while about 21.8% of them mentioned high levels of sexual satisfaction. Positive and highly significant correlation was observed between sexual and marital satisfaction in the first three stages of family life cycle (beginning a family (r=0.5, P = 0.001), childbearing family (r=0.46, P = 0.004), and families with preschool children (r=0.24, P = 0.036). That is, both of the above-mentioned factors decreased slightly, however, such a correlation was not observed in the following stages (P > 0.05). In addition, it was found that, in the last 3 stages (i.e., teenage, empty nest, and retirement), despite a decrease in sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction increased. Conclusions: In general, the findings revealed that the correlation between sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction reduced across the stages of life cycle. It seems that through deepening the relationship between the couples, other factors that are more important than sexual satisfaction would contribute to marital satisfaction as well.

PS-01-013 The role of sexual desire, sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in the sexual function of Arab couples living in Saudi Arabia

An Exploratory Network Analysis of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction Comparing Partnered Cisgendered Men and Women

Parenthood has often been associated with lower levels of relationship and sexual satisfaction. However, this effect has rarely been studied beyond transition to parenthood and/or in clinical samples and few studies have examined parenthood as a moderator between relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine whether parenthood (being a parent or not) acts as a moderator of the relationship between relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction among women and men consulting in sex therapy ( n = 219). Results indicated that mothers report lower levels of relationship satisfaction compared to non-parent women, whereas no difference was found for sexual satisfaction. Results also showed that parenthood acts as a moderator between relationship and sexual satisfaction, with differing effects for men and women. More precisely, relationship satisfaction was associated with increased sexual satisfaction in men and in non-parent women only. For mothers, relationship satisfaction was not linked to sexual satisfaction. Findings suggest that relationship satisfaction is lower in mothers compared to non-parent women and is also unrelated to sexual satisfaction in mothers, indicating specificities regarding sexual satisfaction and its correlates in others. These results have implications, particularly for interventions with mothers attending sex therapy.

The Significance of the Female Orgasm: A Nationally Representative, Dyadic Study of Newlyweds' Orgasm Experience

The Role of Sexual Desire, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relationship Satisfaction in the Sexual Function of Arab Couples Living in Saudi Arabia