Quality Of Marital Relationship Research Articles

Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes at an Endocrine Clinic in Hamadan, Iran

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder associated with severe medical consequences such as mental illness and sexual dysfunction in adults. In this cross-sectional study, 283 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 20 to 70 and married, were selected in 2022-2023. Women’s sexual function was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and men’s sexual function was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Based on the results, 49.8% were men and 50.2% were women. The mean age of the patients was 48.13±8.90 years. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among men and women was 100% and 66.2%, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between sexual dysfunction and age in women (P=0.043) and men (P<0.001) and a negative relationship was also found between sexual dysfunction and the duration of diabetes in men (P=0.026). Sexual dysfunction is widespread among women and men with diabetes, and due to its adverse effect on the quality of life and marital relationships, it should be taken into consideration.

Online intervention with couples during the COVID-19 pandemic based on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

The potential implications of the COVID-19 pandemic include an increased strain on the relationships of cohabiting couples. The effects of an online intervention based on the Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) model from Functional Analytic Psychotherapy were compared to those of a protocol with a leisure activity (movie). The participants (28 Brazilian dyads) were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1, 1st session—ACL protocol and 2nd session—movie protocol (one week apart). Group 2, in reverse order. The groups completed two scales (The Couple Assessment of Relationship Elements - CARE and Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale - IOS); one assessed marital relationship quality, and the other evaluated interpersonal closeness. The scales were answered three times: before and after each session and one week later (follow-up). The data presented homogeneity between groups before the intervention (Student’s t-test). The impact of the ACL and movie protocols on the quality of marital relationships and closeness of couples was tested using the General Mixed Model, which had random effects on individuals and couples. The mean scores obtained in the two scales increased significantly from the pre- to the post-test in ACL and movie protocols, with no discrepancy between the two interventions. In the follow-up, the score of both scales decreased. We concluded that the interventions with the ACL and the movie protocols efficiently approximated couples in the pandemic scenario and improved the relationship quality indicators right after the sessions.

CONJUGALITIES AND WORK: Unemployment, professional experiences, vulnerabilities and protective factors

This article is the result of research that chose as its object of study the relationship established between experiences of employment or unemployment in marital partnerships. Considering that conjugal relationships are subject to influences arising from the broader context of their insertion, we sought to understand how work, or the lack thereof, resonates with them. The theoretical framework for analyzing the data collected through semi-structured interviews and treated using the content analysis technique was systemic-complex thinking. Therefore, the present study is characterized as empirical and qualitative, since 10 couples were interviewed, divided into two groups: in the first group, five couples composed of partners who, until the date of the interview, were employed; in the second group, five couples with at least one of the spouses unemployed. For inclusion purposes, we considered as research participants couples in a stable union or with a marital relationship made official by marriage, regardless of whether they are heterosexual or homoaffective. The research demonstrated the significant interdependence between employment, unemployment and the quality of marital relationships, both of which can sometimes present themselves as a protective factor, sometimes as a vulnerability factor. Through the valuable reports collected from the participating couples, it was possible to verify a still strong presence of gender issues around the theme of conjugality and work, that is, the couples interviewed are still very influenced by the heteronormative and sexist culture, which imputes to women a role of submission and less autonomy in relation to men.

Child marriage and quality of marriage among young married women in a rural district, Lorestan Province, Iran

PurposeChild marriage remains a significant socio-cultural phenomenon with profound implications for the quality of marital relationships, particularly among young women. This study investigates the association between child marriage and the quality of marriage among young married women in Iran.MethodsThis study employed a population-based cross-sectional research design. A total of 70 young women, aged 18–20 years, who had married before reaching 18 years of age, were selected from four primary health care (PHC) centers in Papi District, Lorestan Province, Iran, employing a systematic random sampling approach. Subjects were categorized into women experiencing relationship distress and those without such distress using the Quality of Marriage Index (QMI). Concurrently, their level of sexual satisfaction was assessed utilizing the Hudson’s Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS). Furthermore, Social Support was evaluated using the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ).ResultsThe mean age (SD) of women was 18.9 (0.7) years, and their mean age (SD) of marriage was 15.2 (2.1) years. Women experiencing distress showed significant differences in age of menarche (P = 0.006), education levels (P = 0.039), spouses’ education (P = 0.025), spouses’ occupations (P = 0.004), household income satisfaction (P = 0.041), and household structure (P = 0.045). Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis revealed significant and positive correlations between sexual self-efficacy and social support with marital quality (r = 0.73, p < 0.001 and r = 0.55, p < 0.001, respectively). Conversely, there was a significant negative correlation between the score of indexes of sexual satisfaction and marital quality (r = -0.65, p < 0.001).ConclusionThese findings emphasize the complex factors affecting marital quality and underscore the urgent need for interventions to support young women in early marriages. It is essential to reinforce policies aimed at reducing child marriage to improve the quality of marriage among young married women.

A Grounded Theory Study of Couple Caregiving: A Qualitative Study

Aim: Caregiving is fundamental to human relationships and plays a crucial role in the quality and stability of marital relationships. The present study aimed to explain the concept of couple caregiving. Methods: This qualitative research was conducted in 2021, adopting a grounded theory approach. For this purpose, ten couples residing in city of Aligudarz (Iran) were selected based on inclusion criteria and purposive sampling. The sampling continued until data saturation was reached. These individuals were examined through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s (2014) method and the MAXQDA20 software. Findings: The data analysis led to the identification of 78 open codes and 13 axial codes in the form of causal conditions: life history, conscious marriage; contextual conditions: individual and couple contexts; efficient couple relationship; Intervening conditions: behavioral and cognitive facilitating factors; obstacles: personal and environmental stressors; Strategies for sustaining and improving care, and persona; outcomes for the caregiver and care recipient and couple outcomes and the central theme of “reciprocal couple caregiving” was chosen. Conclusions: The findings indicated that factors influencing couple caregiving extend to the time before marriage. Couple caregiving involves conscious marriage and proactive and constructive actions of the couple. It is an interactive and reciprocal process that enhances the insight and awareness of the couple, and the use of care-seeking and caregiving receptivity strategies significantly contributes to its continuity.

The effectiveness of schema-based cognitive therapy on cognitive fatigue and the quality of marital relationships of married women in Amol city

Introduction: Nowadays, the quality of marital relationships and cognitive fatigue is a concept widely used in family and marital studies. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of schema-based cognitive therapy on cognitive fatigue and the quality of marital relationships of married women in the city of Amol. Method: The present research was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all women referring to Navid-e-Aramesh and Tolou-e-Mehr clinics in the city of Amol to receive counseling services concerning family problems in 2022, among them 30 people were selected by the convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (15 people each group). The Quality of Marital Relationships Questionnaire (1995), the Fatigue Questionnaire (1994), and Young et al.’s Schema-Based Cognitive Therapy Protocol (2003) were used for ten 60-minute sessions for data collection, and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and SPSS software version 22 were used for data analysis. Results: The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) results demonstrated a significant difference between the scores of the control and experimental groups (P=0.001). In general, schema-based cognitive therapy led to increasing the total score of the quality of marital relationships and decreasing cognitive fatigue. Conclusion: Using cognitive techniques, schema-based cognitive therapy culminates in improving the quality of marital relationships and decreasing cognitive fatigue of married women. Therefore, this program can be recommended as an appropriate intervention to improve marital relationships.

Comprehensively evaluating the relationships between marital status and other family factors with cardiovascular disease and long-term overall mortality in the elderly: a study of 48 510 Chinese individuals.

Marital status is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and overall mortality, yet limited research on this topic in elderly individuals is available. Our aim was to comprehensively assess the impact of marital status and other family factors on CVD incidence and long-term mortality among elderly people. Data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2002/2005/2008-2018) for participants aged ≥60years were analysed. A cross-sectional study initially examined the correlation between spouses, offspring, living arrangements, and CVD using logistic regression. Subsequently, a retrospective cohort study investigated the long-term associations of these factors with overall mortality via Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. The study involved 48 510 subjects (average age: 87years). The cross-sectional analysis revealed a correlation between living with a spouse and an increased incidence of heart disease (adjusted OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55) and cerebrovascular disease/stroke (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11-1.42). According to the retrospective cohort analysis, living with a spouse significantly reduced overall mortality (adjusted HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.80-0.87), irrespective of marital relationship quality. Conversely, living with offspring (adjusted HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.16), having more children (adjusted Pnonlinearity = 0.427) or cohabitants (adjusted Pnonlinearity < 0.0001) were associated with increased overall mortality. In the elderly population, being married and living with a spouse were not significantly associated with a decrease in CVD incidence but were associated with a reduction in long-term overall mortality. Living with offspring, having more children, or having a larger family size did not replicate the protective effect but indicated greater overall mortality.

From Loss to Healing: Navigating Perinatal Grief with Enhanced Psychological Care

IntroductionSeveral factors can influence the journey of perinatal grief in mothers, including the quality of care during this experience. The objective of our study was to investigate the factors influencing the perception of grieving women during the perinatal period and identify the role of medical and paramedical healthcare professionals in psychological support.ObjectivesTo determine the factors influencing the perception of fetal loss in grieving mothers.MethodsThis was a descriptive, longitudinal, retrospective study conducted between july 2021 and march 2022 at the Fetal Pathology Department of the Center for Maternity and Neonatology in Tunis, Tunisia. The study included women who experienced perinatal loss and underwent fetal pathology examination.The study was conducted in two stages: Initial consultation at the Fetal Pathology Department, five weeks after the date of expulsion, for perinatal grief counseling. Follow-up interview one year after the date of expulsion: The participants were contacted via telephone for an average duration of twenty minutes .The assessment of perinatal grief during both interviews was conducted using the shortened version of the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS)Results The mean age of the patients was 31.41 years (± 5.15). The average gravidity was 2.47 (± 1.43). More than half of the patients had no living children (n=41). The majority of patients had no notable pathological history. Six patients had been followed in psychiatry, and five had a history of subfertility. The majority of patients (n=61) reported having good marital relationships.Among the participants, 20% (n=14) had a high Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) score (PGS &gt;= 91) at five weeks post-loss and were subsequently referred for psychiatric consultation.At one year, all participants had a PGS score &gt; 91, demonstrating the effectiveness of psychiatric management. Multivariate analysis identified four independent factors associated with a high PGS score at five weeks: absence of living children (OR=0.59; 95% CI [0.36-0.98]; p=0.04), quality of marital relationship (OR=1.2; 95% CI [1.1-3.9]; p=0.02), family support (OR=2.52; 95% CI [1.55-4.12]; p&lt;0.001), and quality of loss disclosure (OR=2.52; 95% CI [1.32-3.77]; p=0.003).ConclusionsTo identify patients at high risk of developing complicated grief and improve the quality of psychological care, it is necessary to implement appropriate protocols, provide training to healthcare personnel, and establish well-equipped healthcare facilities.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Role of Personality Traits in Predicting Newlywed Intimacy and Relationship Quality

ABSTRACT While personality traits can predict couples’ behaviors in marital life, there are limited studies on the relationship between personality and marital relationships. This study aimed to examine the role of personality in predicting intimacy and the quality of marital relationships in newlywed couples. This cross-sectional study included 115 newlywed couples who participated in an online survey. Participants completed three questionnaires: the NEO Personality Inventory for assessing personality traits, the Intimacy Safety Questionnaire (ISQ) for measuring marital intimacy, and the Quality of Marriage Index (QMI) for evaluating marital quality. Marital intimacy was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness in women and extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness in men. Relationship quality was negatively predicted by neuroticism in women while positively predicted by openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness in men.

Predicting Concerns During Pregnancy Based on Marital Quality and Cognitive SelfRegulation with the Mediating Role of Mental Security

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Introduction: During pregnancy, the marital quality and mental security of women are threatened. A woman's physical, mental and psychological health during this period has significant effects on the health of the fetus, success in natural childbirth and breastfeeding, and improving health. Maintaining psychological security, cognitive self-regulation of emotions, and the quality of marital relations during pregnancy can reduce the worries of this period to some extent. The current research aims to predicting design a structural model of marital quality and cognitive self-regulation with the mediating role of psychological security to predict concerns during pregnancy.&#x0D; Methods: The present study was a descriptive-correlation type using the structural equation modeling method. The study population included all the pregnant women of 25 to 40who referred to health centers and clinics in Yazd in 2023. 275 women were randomly selected by cluster sampling method. Data was collected using Aldersey and Lin's (2011) pregnancy anxiety questionnaires, Busby et al.'s marital quality (1995), Maslow's psychological security (2004), and Garnevsky et al.'s (2002) cognitive self-regulation of emotion. Data analysis was done through Pearson correlation methods and structural equation modeling using SPSS-19 and AMOS-20 software.&#x0D; Results: The results of multivariate regression test showed that the variables of cognitive self-regulation of emotion (positive emotion (R=0/49), negative emotion (R=0/056), and marital quality (R=0/089) with the mediation of psychological security on concerns during pregnancy, had a direct and significant effect (P&lt;0/05). Psychological security also had a direct, negative, and significant effect on worries during pregnancy (P&lt;0/05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of the present study shows that the structural model of concerns during pregnancy based on cognitive self-regulation of emotion and marital quality with the mediation of psychological security had favorable fit indices, and therefore, the knowledge of these variables can help to reduce worries during pregnancy&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Sexual dysfunction, marital relationship, and subjective quality of life among women with schizophrenia: Analytical case-control study.

Women with schizophrenia have a high risk of adverse sexual health outcomes. The chronic course of schizophrenia draws attention to assessing the quality of life and marital relationships of patients with schizophrenia. However, there is a crunch of data in the Indian setting. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions (SDs) and determine the marital relationship and quality of life among women with schizophrenia. The study followed an analytical case-control design. The study was conducted at the inpatient psychiatric department of one of the apex tertiary healthcare centers located at the foothills of the Northern Himalayas. The study purposively included 136 participants (68 cases and 68 controls). The control group included healthy women aged 18-45 currently staying with sexual partners. Data were collected using pretested and standardized self-report questionnaires. The median age of the case group was 36 (interquartile range (IQR), 29-42) years, while that of the control group was 29 (IQR 26-34) years. The prevalence of SD was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in cases (95.3%) than in controls (73.4%). Compared to healthy controls, women with schizophrenia have a significantly higher rate of SD in sexual desire (P = 0.001), getting arousal (P < 0.001), lubrication (P < 0.001), achieving orgasm (P < 0.001), and sexual satisfaction (P < 0.001) (except pain). In addition, the marital relationship was better managed (P < 0.001) in healthy controls compared with cases. The healthy control group significantly expressed a better quality of life in physical (P < 0.001), psychological (P < 0.001), and maintaining social (P < 0.001) relationships (except environment domains). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, employment status significantly predicted SDs (odds ratio (OR), 25.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.09, 318.10; P < 0.05) in participants. The prevalence of SD is significantly high among female participants. Hence, treating physicians should pay attention to sexual function during the screening and treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

Childhood maltreatment and the quality of marital relationships: Examining mediating pathways and gender differences

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is considered a traumatic experience with long-term adverse effects on the quality of adult intimate relationships. Research on the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon among Arab societies is scarce. Objective: This study investigated the impact of childhood physical abuse (PA) and emotional abuse (EA) on the quality of marital relationships. Additionally, it examined the mediating roles of two dimensions of insecure adult attachment (i.e., avoidant and anxious) to a romantic partner and psychological distress within gender-specific models. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of 604 married Arab adults ( M age = 33.5, SD = 6.52; 50.1% women) in Israel using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Childhood PA was significantly related to low levels of relationship quality among men and women. For men, childhood PA was positively related to psychological distress and both patterns of romantic attachment styles, which in turn were negatively associated with relationship quality. For women, childhood PA was positively associated with psychological distress and avoidant attachment, correlating with low levels of relationship quality. Conclusion: A retrospective assessment of childhood PA is associated with decreased levels of marital relationship quality for men and women. This association is mediated by psychological distress and romantic attachment styles. Implications: Implementing interventions focused on improving mental health and promoting a secure romantic attachment style can enhance the quality of marital relationships for adults with CM experiences.

Predictors of social intermediate factors associated with sexual quality of life of women: systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSexual problems and diminished sexual quality of life can adversely affect the physical, psychological, and emotional health of women. The present study was done to determine the social intermediate factors of health associated with sexual quality of life in women of reproductive age.DesignSystematic review and Meta-analysis.Data sourcesEmbase, Web of Science, PubMed/Medline (NLM), ProQuest, and CENTRAL.Eligibility criteriaObservational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort) from 2010 to 2022 with no language constraints were included. The sexual quality of life, as the main variable of the study, has been evaluated using Symonds women’s sexual quality of life scale (SQOL-F). The health social determinants intermediate factors based on WHO model were considered as exposure variables.Data extraction and synthesisThe data of included studies were extracted by two independent persons through a researcher-made checklist according to the study aims. Quality assessment of studies was done using Newcastle-Ottawa instrument. R software (Version R-4.2.1) were used for meta-analysis. Publication bias was evaluated by Egger & Begg tests. Sensitivity analysis was done through one-out remove approach.ResultsEventually, 15 studies were eligible to be included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Variables of depression, quality of marital relation, body image, self-esteem, physical activity, and sexual function were among the health social intermediate factors associated with sexual quality of life. Publication bias had no effect on the obtained results; no study affecting the results was found through sensitivity analysis.ConclusionConsidering the relationship between modifiable factors and sexual quality of life, it seems that identification of these factors can be an important step towards designing interventional studies to help women experience enhanced sexual quality of life.

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Psychological Hardiness and Marital Relationship Quality in Couples with Marital Conflicts

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological hardiness and the quality of marital relationships in couples with marital conflicts. Methods and Materials: The research method was a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of couples with marital conflicts in Tehran in 2023. Then, 32 couples with marital conflicts were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental group (16 people) and the control group (16 people). The data collection tools were questionnaires on psychological hardiness and the quality of marital relationships. Subsequently, cognitive-behavioral therapy training was conducted on the experimental group over 8 sessions of 90 minutes each. After the training sessions, post-tests were administered to both the experimental and control groups. Findings: The findings indicated that the post-test scores of the experimental group in psychological hardiness and the quality of marital relationships were significantly better than those of the control group. Conclusion: Therefore, cognitive-behavioral therapy has an effect on psychological hardiness and the quality of marital relationships in couples with marital conflicts.

Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Marital Relationship Quality and Emotion Regulation in Couples Affected by Infidelity

Objective: Marital infidelity is the primary reason couples seek divorce, leading them to family counseling clinics. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy on marital relationship quality and emotion regulation in couples affected by infidelity. Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test control group design. The population included all couples in Nowshahr affected by infidelity in 2023. The sample consisted of 30 couples affected by infidelity (15 for the control group and 15 for the experimental group), selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups. Data collection tools were the Busby et al. (1995) Marital Relationship Quality Questionnaire and the Garnefski and Kraaij (2006) Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. For data analysis, mean, standard deviation were used in the descriptive section, and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and SPSS version 26 were employed in the inferential section. Findings: The results showed that schema therapy had a significant effect on marital relationship quality (F = 72.99, P &lt; 0.01) and emotion regulation (F = 51.44, P &lt; 0.01) in couples affected by infidelity. Conclusion: It can be concluded that schema therapy was effective in improving marital relationship quality and emotion regulation in couples affected by infidelity, and can be utilized to reduce psychological problems in such couples.

A study on the relationship between self-differentiation and communication patterns and marital relationship quality among Chinese couples

A study on the relationship between self-differentiation and communication patterns and marital relationship quality among Chinese couples

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Based on Attachment Injury Model and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Positive Feelings Toward Spouse and Withdrawal from Divorce

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy based on the Attachment Injury Model and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on positive feelings toward the spouse and withdrawal from divorce in working women in the healthcare sector affected by marital infidelity in Lorestan Province during the COVID19 pandemic. Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test and post-test design with control and experimental groups. The statistical population included working women in the healthcare sector of Lorestan Province who had sought counseling due to their spouse's marital infidelity during the COVID-19 period. Thirty women were randomly divided into three groups: Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, ACT, and a control group. Data collection tools included the Positive Feelings Toward Spouse Questionnaire and the Roselt Divorce Desire Questionnaire. The therapeutic interventions were conducted over eight 90-minute sessions across two months. Findings: The results indicated that both approaches, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and ACT, significantly increased positive feelings toward the spouse and reduced the desire for divorce compared to the control group. Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy relatively showed more effectiveness in enhancing positive feelings toward the spouse. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant differences between groups and interactive effects of time and group. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that both therapeutic approaches, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and ACT, can effectively improve positive feelings toward the spouse and reduce the desire for divorce in working women in the healthcare sector affected by marital infidelity. These findings can aid counselors and therapists in providing more effective interventions and facilitate the improvement of quality of life and marital relationships.

Examining the Effectiveness of the Imago Therapy Approach on Marital Adjustment and Love Styles in Married Students with Early Marriages

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Imago therapy approach on marital adjustment and love styles in married students with early marriages. Methods and Materials: The research employed a semi-experimental method with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population studied included second-year high school students from vocational and technical schools in Mashhad during the 2021-2022 academic year. A purposive sampling method was used, and the participants were randomly assigned to a 15-member experimental group and a 15-member control group. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of Imago therapy intervention and training. Subsequently, post-tests were conducted using questionnaires on both groups, and follow-up tests were administered at the end. To measure the level of marital adjustment, the Spanier Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (1976) was used, and to assess attitudes toward love, the Hendrick Love Attitudes Scale (1986) was utilized. The data were analyzed using inferential statistics through the SPSS statistical software. Findings: The results of the covariance analysis indicated that the Imago therapy model was effective in increasing marital adjustment and love styles, suggesting that this approach can be used in therapeutic and counseling sessions. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that Imago therapy significantly improves marital adjustment and love styles in married students with early marriages. Post-intervention scores in the experimental group showed a meaningful increase in marital adjustment and strong attitudes toward love compared to the control group. Thus, Imago therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing marital satisfaction and relationship quality in this population.

Comparison of effectiveness of face to face and telephone-based counseling with EXPLISSIT approach on marital interaction and quality of life of women attending health centers of Tabriz city during Covid 19 epidemy: A Quasi-experimental study

Background. Quarantine and social distancing due to COVID 19 has led to anxiety, anger, stress, and anger in people and has had a negative impact on physical and mental health and the quality of marital relationships. Due to the lack of sufficient studies and also the fact that no study was found in the literature review that compared this approach over the phone and face-to-face, this study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of telephone and face-to-face counseling with the explicit approach on women's marital interactions. Methods. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2022 in the health centers of Tabriz city on women aged 18 to 40 with a sexual performance score of less than 28. The participants were assigned to two groups of face-to-face counseling and telephone counseling with a ratio of 1:1 using a computerized random number table with blocks of four and six. Counseling based on explicit approach was done in the face-to-face counseling group during three meetings of 60-90 minutes, and for the telephone counseling group, there were three individual telephone counseling sessions of 60-90 minutes. Pre-test questionnaires including sexual performance, quality of sexual life and marital satisfaction were completed before and eight weeks after the end of the intervention. Results. The mean (standard deviation) score of the quality of sexual life after the intervention was significantly increased in both face-to-face and telephone counseling groups compared to before the intervention. Also the mean (standard deviation) of the total score of sexual performance and marital satisfaction after the intervention in the face-to-face counseling group was significantly higher than that of the telephone counseling group. Conclusion. Using counseling based on ex-PLISSIT approach in both face-to-face and telephone counseling groups, are effective in sexual health. Therefore, during crises such as a pandemic, or other restrictions to hold face-to-face counseling sessions, telephone consultations are useful. Practical Implications. Counseling based on ex-PLISSIT approach is effective for sexual health.

Investigating the relationship between psychological adjustment and the quality of marital relationship dimensions of women with breast cancer in Golestan Province in 2022

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women. Contracting this cancer is an experience accompanied by extreme mental stress. Therefore, when they know about their disease, they experience high levels of disappointment and weakness in adapting to it in their personal and family lives. Like any other type of cancer, it endangers various aspects of mental health, including the marital relation. Breast cancer diagnosis is a crisis in a women's life. In this respect, mastectomy (i.e., breast removal surgery) is eliminating a part of the body that symbolizes gender, femininity, and maternal dimensions. Regarding the importance of the breast in forming a woman's sexual identity, the reaction to the disease by women may involve fear, anxiety, and depression. Hence, the contraction of breast cancer may damage the married life of these women. The present study was conducted to explore the relationship between mental adjustment to cancer (MAC) and marital relationship quality (MRQ) in women with breast cancer. Materials and methodThis descriptive-correlational study was conducted on a sample size of 135. Sampling was performed through the accessible sampling method on women with breast cancer referred to two clinics in Gorgan City during 2020–2021. The data-collection tool comprised the demographic data blank, the Mini-Mac mental-adjustment-to-cancer questionnaire, and the Perceived Relationship Quality Component (PRQC) inventory. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation index, multivariable regression model, and the SPSS software ver. 18. ResultsThe mean scores for MAC and MRQ domains in women with breast cancer were 81.15 ± 19.78 and 93.19 ± 95.17, respectively. There was a direct and significant relation between the MAC score in women with breast cancer and the perceived MRQ in them (r = 0.341; p = 0.001), such that with increasing the psychological MAC, the perceived quality of the marital relationship was significantly higher. ConclusionBased on the obtained results, it is inferred that with an increase in the MAC, MRQ domains improve accordingly. Concerning the major role of the MRQ in the mental health of couples, the authorities must prepare a service package to improve the MRQ and mental health of breast cancer patients.