Sexual Satisfaction in Patients with Diabetes Type 2 and Their Partners

M Pereira,Olinda Marques,Ângela Rodrigues,Jónia Santos,Susana Pedras

doi:10.15344/2455-3867/2016/117

Abstract

Aim: Sexual health is a very important topic in diabetes. This paper examines the impact of diabetes on the sexual relationship of patients with diabetes and their partners. Methods: A sample of 87 patients with type 2 diabetes and their partners participated in the study. Instruments used were: Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ), Sexual Beliefs and Information Questionnaire (SBIQ), Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) and Diabetes Adherence (DA). Results: Results showed that there were differences in psychological variables according to gender, age, education and illness duration. Adherence was positively correlated with sexual information and negatively with dysfunctional beliefs, in patients. Sexual satisfaction, in patients, was positively correlated with dyadic adjustment and negatively with dysfunctional sexual beliefs. Patient’s sexual satisfaction was also positively related with partner’s sexual information, dyadic adjustment, sexual satisfaction and negatively with dysfunctional beliefs. In both patients and partners, female gender, more sexual dysfunctional beliefs and less dyadic adjustment were predictors of sexual dissatisfaction. Conclusion: This study highlights the intrinsic relationship between sexual beliefs, dyadic adjustment and adherence, in patients with diabetes type 2 and their partners emphasizing the need to use a dyadic approach in this population.

Highlights

In Portugal, 13% of the population suffer from Type 2 diabetes [1]
This study focused on: 1) differences on psychological variables according to gender, education level, age and duration of illness; 2) the relationships among dyadic adjustment, sexual information, dysfunctional sexual beliefs, adherence and sexual satisfaction; 3) predictors of sexual satisfaction in patients and partners
Differences were found on dyadic adjustment, sexual satisfaction and sexual dysfunctional beliefs

Summary

Introduction

In Portugal, 13% of the population suffer from Type 2 diabetes [1]. Diabetes is known to cause multiple medical, psychological and sexual problems in both men and women [2,3]. Wandell and Brorsson [5], dyadic relationships may suffer changes after a diagnosis of a chronic disease and, as a result, sexual difficulties may arise in the couple. Marital support is an important aspect when the couple has to deal with a chronic disease [6,7]. Literature shows that couples presenting less marital satisfaction [8,9,10,11], report less communication and problem resolution skills [12,13] and more difficulty in handling tasks related to diabetes. Trief and collaborators [8] reported that better dyadic adjustment was associated with a better adaptation to diabetes, less emotional distress, and better quality of life. A supportive partner was associated with the patient’s quality of life, adjustment to the illness [16], and adherence to self-care behaviors [17]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion