Depression, sexual dysfunction, life satisfaction and marriage satisfaction in women with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Marriage satisfaction is one of the factors that affects life satisfaction in healthy people and patients. In the current literature, it is found there is a positive correlation between marriage and life satisfaction. Many factors such as sexual dysfunction, depression and neurological disorders affect negatively marriage and life satisfactions. However, there is not enough research dealing with how multiple sclerosis (MS) affects women's marital and life satisfaction. This study aimed to examine marital satisfaction and life satisfaction of female patients with MS (pwMS) in relation to sexual dysfunction and depression. A total of 139 married women (MS Group: 81, Control Group: 58) were recruited in the study. Then both groups’ participants were requested to fill the relevant documentary; Demographic Information Form, Marital Life Scale (MLS), Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS), Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results Regarding the percentages of the relevant parameters; it was examined that 60.96% of pwMS and 62.07% of control group have depression, respectively. In addition, 89.16% of pwMS and 86.21% of control group have sexual dysfunction, respectively. Furthermore, 55.52% of pwMS and 44.83% of control group have high life satisfaction, whereas 60.24% of pwMS and 56.90% of control group have high marriage satisfaction, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between marriage satisfaction and life satisfaction (p < 0.001) and there was a weak negative correlation between marriage satisfaction and sexual dysfunction (p < 0.001). In addition, there were weak negative correlations between marriage satisfaction and depression level (p < 0.001) and between life satisfaction and sexual dysfunction (p < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, there was a weak negative correlation between life satisfaction and depression level (p < 0.001), whereas there was a weak positive correlation between depression level and sexual dysfunction (p < 0.001). Finally, while there was no significant difference in the marriage satisfaction and sexual dysfunction between the groups in points of life satisfaction and depression level (p > 0.05). Conclusion Sexual dysfunction and depression are important problems that affect women’s marriage and life satisfaction. Sexual dysfunction is a common problem for women, regardless of MS.