Emotional intimacy, empathic concern, and relationship satisfaction in women with endometriosis and their partners

Abstract

Introduction This is the first study to explore relationship satisfaction through a dyadic lens in couples living with endometriosis. This is timely and important given that endometriosis is a shared experience within the couple rather than an isolated experience occurring for the individual members of a couple. Methods Sixty couples completed online measures assessing emotional intimacy, empathic concern, psychological health, and relationship satisfaction. Results Emotional intimacy was associated with one’s own relationship satisfaction and partner emotional intimacy was associated with the woman’s relationship satisfaction in couples living with endometriosis. Women’s empathic concern was unrelated to their own and their partners’ relationship satisfaction. However, partner empathic concern was associated with both their own and the woman’s relationship satisfaction. Conclusions Healthcare providers are encouraged to engage partners of women diagnosed with endometriosis in education and treatment processes. This engagement could be used to ascertain, and improve where needed, the emotional intimacy and empathic concern experienced by the couple.