The Role of Alexithymia and Sexual Self-esteem in the Prediction of Marital Stress and Adjustment in Infertile Women

Abstract

Objective: Considering the negative impact of infertility on the level of adjustment and stress in women, the present study aimed to examine the role of sexual self-esteem and alexithymia in predicting marital stress and adjustment of infertile women. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of all infertile women in Shiraz City, Iran (N=70000). A total of 400 women were selected through a non-random and purposeful sampling method, but the final sample consisted of 380 subjects. The study tools were a short form of sexual self-esteem scale for women, Locke-Wallace marital adjustment questionnaire, Stockholm-Tehran marital stress scale, and Toronto alexithymia scale. The obtained data were analyzed by the Pearson correlation and multivariate regression in the SPSS V. 26. Results: The results showed a significant negative relationship between sexual self-esteem and marital stress as well as alexithymia and marital adjustment (P<0.01). Besides, the positive relationships between sexual self-esteem and marital adjustment and alexithymia and marital stress were significant (P<0.01). The results of multiple regression analysis demonstrated that alexithymia and sexual self-esteem could significantly predict marital stress and marital adjustment with the standard coefficient of 0.44 and 0.22, respectively. Conclusion: Alexithymia and sexual self-esteem play essential roles in predicting adjustment and stress levels of infertile women, respectively. Accordingly, difficulty in emotional awareness at first, and then the low level of self-esteem in sexual function can decrease adjustment and increase stress in marital relationships.