Association between Marital Satisfaction and Severity of Symptoms in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Abstract

Background Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional ailment of the intestines characterized by altered defecation and abdominal irritation in the absence of detectable structural disorders. Aim The aim of the present study was to determine the association between marital satisfaction and the severity of symptoms in patients with IBS. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, which was conducted using available sampling on 77 IBS patients who were referred to internal specialists in specialized clinics in Jiroft City in 2022. Data were collected using IBS symptom severity and marital satisfaction questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS-22 statistical software and descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results The severity of IBS symptoms had significant differences at different levels of three sub-criteria of the extent of marital satisfaction, level of satisfaction in marital relationships, and idealistic distortion of individuals in their marital life. However, this correlation was not significant in the sub-criterion of marital conflict resolution. Consequently, as a stressor, the level of marital satisfaction had a negative correlation with patients’ severity of symptoms. Conclusion The more severe the IBS symptoms, the higher the effect of psychological factors. Furthermore, the more severe the stress, the higher its effect on the severity of IBS symptoms. Managing problems in marital life can help control IBS symptoms. Paying attention to the problems of married life as a stressor in IBS patients by doctors and the cooperation of the treating doctor with psychologists in the treatment process of these patients can help in controlling the symptoms of these patients.