THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARITAL CONFLICTS, COUPLE COMMUNICATION AND SEXUAL INTIMACY IN INFERTILE COUPLES

Mogaddam Tabrizi, Fatemeh; Ayyari Maralani, Zahra; Haghighi, Mahmonir

doi:10.61186/unmf.22.8.655

Volume 22, Issue 8 (November 2024) Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2024, 22(8): 655-666 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.61186/unmf.22.8.655

Ethics code: IR.UMSU.REC.1402.030

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Mogaddam Tabrizi F, Ayyari Maralani Z, Haghighi M. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARITAL CONFLICTS, COUPLE COMMUNICATION AND SEXUAL INTIMACY IN INFERTILE COUPLES. Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2024; 22 (8) :655-666
URL: http://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-5267-en.html

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARITAL CONFLICTS, COUPLE COMMUNICATION AND SEXUAL INTIMACY IN INFERTILE COUPLES

Fatemeh Mogaddam Tabrizi¹

, Zahra Ayyari Maralani ^*²

, Mahmonir Haghighi³

1- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2- Department of Consultation on Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran , zahraayyari076@gmail.com
3- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Razi Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences

Abstract: (587 Views)

Background & Aim: Infertility can pose numerous personal and relational challenges for infertile couples, affecting their marital life. Addressing the psychological needs of infertile couples is essential in infertility treatment. This study aimed to examine the relationship between marital conflicts, perceived self-communication, and sexual intimacy among infertile couples in Urmia.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional correlational study included 102 infertile couples attending the Koosar Educational and Therapeutic Center in Urmia, selected through convenience sampling. Data collection tools comprised a demographic questionnaire, Marital Conflict Questionnaire, Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire, and the Perceived Self-Communication Questionnaire, which were completed by the participants in the form of self-reports. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The mean and standard deviation scores for marital conflicts, perceived self-communication, and sexual intimacy were 55.56 ± 11.22, 70.01 ± 8.62, and 104.16 ± 9.55, respectively. The results indicated significant correlations between perceived self-communication and sexual intimacy (r = 0.5498, P<0.01), marital conflicts and perceived self-communication (r = -0.61, P<0.01), and marital conflicts and sexual intimacy (r = -0.51, P<0.01). Additionally, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the duration of infertility and the three variables, marital conflicts, perceived self-communication, and sexual intimacy (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The study's findings revealed a significant negative relationship between marital conflicts and perceived self-communication, as well as between marital conflicts and sexual intimacy. These results can be a base for making strategies to reduce marital conflicts in the etiology, design of therapeutic interventions, and improvement of relationships among couples facing infertility. Considering that infertile couples require more psychological counseling and support, efforts should focus on establishing constructive therapeutic relationships, providing awareness and clarity for precise problem recognition, offering appropriate solutions to overcome these challenges, and ensuring clear psychological support.

Keywords: Couple Therapy, Infertility, Intimacy, Marital Conflicts, Marital Communication, Sexual Satisfaction

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Type of Study: Research | Subject: مامایی

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