The Intertwined Influence of Marital Expectations, Body Image, and Sexual Satisfaction on Marital Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer Marital quality of life in women with breast cancer
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can significantly impact women's marital relationships, often affecting body image, sexual satisfaction, and overall marital quality. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between marital expectations and body image with marital quality of life in women with breast cancer, specifically examining the mediating role of sexual satisfaction in this association.
Methods: The present study employed a descriptive correlational design, utilizing path analysis to examine the relationships between variables. The target population comprised all women with breast cancer attending subspecialty clinics in Ahvaz city during 2024. A sample of 161 women with breast cancer was recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires assessing marital quality of life, marital expectations, body image, and sexual satisfaction. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and path analysis.
Results: The results indicated significant direct relationships between marital expectations and sexual satisfaction, body image and sexual satisfaction, body image and marital quality of life, and sexual satisfaction and marital quality of life among women with breast cancer (P<0.001). However, no significant direct relationship was found between marital expectations and marital quality of life. Furthermore, significant indirect relationships were observed between body image and marital quality of life, mediated by sexual satisfaction, and between marital expectations and marital quality of life, mediated by sexual satisfaction (P<0.001).
Conclusion: This study reveals the complex interplay between marital quality of life, sexual satisfaction, body image, and marital expectations in women with breast cancer. Sexual satisfaction serves as a key mediator, linking both body image and marital expectations to marital quality of life, while body image also exerts a direct effect on marital well-being. These findings underscore the need for holistic interventions that address physical, emotional, and relational aspects to effectively support women with breast cancer and their partners.
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