Marital
satisfaction among spouses of patients with severe mental illness attending
psychiatry OPD in AIMS, Kochi
Ms. Steffy
Susan Jacob1, Prof. Mrs. Sreedevi P. A2
1MSc. Nursing (Mental Health Nursing), Amrita College
of Nursing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
AIMS, Kochi
2HOD, Department of Mental Health Nursing, Amrita
College of Nursing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
AIMS, Kochi.
*Corresponding Author Email: steffyjacob1989@gmail.com, sreedevipa@aims.amrita.edu
ABSTRACT:
A quantitative approach descriptive study was conducted to
assess marital satisfaction among 60 spouses of patients diagnosed with severe
mental illness. The objectives of the study were to; assess the marital
satisfaction among spouses of patients with severe mental illness, find the
association between marital satisfaction of spouses and their selected
demographic variables and find the association between marital satisfaction of
spouses and selected patient variables. The data was
collected using socio demographic sheet of both spouses and patients, Couples Satisfaction Index
(structured interview). The major findings of the study were, the marital satisfaction among spouses of
60 patients with severe mental illness was assessed. Satisfaction in marital
relationship was found in 41(68.3%) of the spouses and 19(31.7%) were
unsatisfied in their marital relationship. It was found that among the 60
subjects, 48(80%) were unhappy with their relationships and only 12(20%) of the
subjects were happy in their marital relationship. Also it was found that, only
5% of the subjects feels the relationship as interesting, 1.7% as good, 3.3% as
full, 3.3% as full and friendly, 8.3% as sturdy and 5% as hopeful and
enjoyable. These findings reveals that the spouses of mentally ill clients are
themselves at risk for psychological distress due to the burdens associated
with caring for someone with mental illness; burdens such as the feelings of
helplessness, hopelessness, fear, uncertainty, the possibility of re-occurrence
of disease, the emotional strain on the spouse, and the individual’s lack of
energy.
KEYWORDS:
Marital Satisfaction, Severe Mental illness
INTRODUCTION:
Marriage is one of the most important events of life affecting social
status as well as the psyche of an individual. It not only serves to satisfy
the fundamental biological need of sexual gratification through a socially
acceptable way but also helps the individual to achieve a higher level of
personality maturation.1Marital satisfaction is a mental state that reflects the perceived
benefits and costs of marriage to a particular person.2 Marital
satisfaction not only makes people happier, healthier, and more joyful life but
also contributes in the health of both partners , life durability and rearing
the next generation.3 Moreover,
a spouse may provide emotional intimacy and support, fulfilling an essential
human need for connection.4
Mental and physical health
problems of a spouse can be difficult and upsetting for both patient and
partner.2There is a
sizable body of literature showing an association between psychiatric illnesses
and marital dissatisfaction.4 Research suggests that partners of
mentally ill individuals are themselves at risk for psychological distress due
to the burdens associated with caring for persons with mental illness; burdens
such as the feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, the possibility of
re-occurrence of illness, fear, uncertainty, the emotional strain on the
spouse, the endless worrying, and the individual’s lack of energy.5
OBJECTIVES:
•
Assess the marital satisfaction among spouses of
patients with severe mental illness.
•
Find the association between marital satisfaction of
spouses and their selected demographic variables.
•
Find the association between marital satisfaction of
spouses and selected patient variables.
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS:
Marital satisfaction:
It refers to the satisfaction in marital life among
spouses of patients with severe mental illness and is assessed by using Couple
Satisfaction Index..
Severe
mental illness:
Severe mental illness refers to the mental
disorders such as schizophrenia, mania, depression, schizoaffective disorders,
organic mental disorders with a duration of
greater than 2 years.
METHODOLOGY:
Research
design:
Descriptive design
Research
setting:
Psychiatry Outpatient
Department, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi
Population:
Spouses
of patients with severe mental illness attending the selected setting.
Sample and sampling technique:
Spouses meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the study by sample of convenience method.
Sample consisted of spouses of 60 patients with severe mental illness.
Inclusion criteria:
a) Spouses of patients
with any of the conditions which is diagnosed by the psychiatrist
[Schizophrenia / Mania / Depression / BPAD / Schizoaffective disorders /
Organic mental disorders.] attending the psychiatry OPD.
Exclusion
criteria:
a) Spouses reportedly having any mental
illness
b) Spouses of patients
having co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis.
Research tools and
technique: The tools used
for the study were;
Tool-I Socio-demographic
schedule.
It has 2 sections
Section A: - Socio
demographic data of spouse
Section B:-Socio demographic
and illness related data of patient
Tool-II
Couple Satisfaction Index
(Funk ,J.L and Rogge, R.D ; 2007,Cronbach’s alpha (reliability) of .90.)
A pilot study was conducted
in 10 patients and found feasible.
Ethical Clearance:
Approval to conduct the study was obtained from the
Ethics Committee, AIMS, Kochi.
Method of data collection:
Eligible spouses were registered and written informed
consent was obtained before data collection. Spouses were assessed on either
Malayalam or English version of the assessment tools for data collection.
Data analysis:
Descriptive statistics i.e. mean, median, frequency
percentage and inferential statistics i.e. Chi-square, Fishers exact test, were
used for analysis of data. Level of significance was set as p<0.05. Data
were analysed by using statistical package SPSS 21
version.
RESULTS:
Section I: Sample characteristics
Table 1: Distribution of subjects based on
socio-demographic variables
n= 60
|
Sl. No
|
Demographic
Variables
|
Frequency
(f)
|
Percentage
(%)
|
|
1.
|
AGE (in years)
|
20 - 35
|
17
|
28.3
|
|
36 -45
|
14
|
23.3
|
|
46 -55
|
15
|
24
|
|
56 -66
|
14
|
23.4
|
|
2.
|
Gender
|
Male
|
36
|
60
|
|
Female
|
24
|
40
|
|
3.
|
Education
|
Primary
|
5
|
8.3
|
|
Secondary
|
13
|
21.7
|
|
Higher
Secondary
|
20
|
33.3
|
|
Graduate
|
16
|
26.7
|
|
Post
Graduate
|
6
|
10
|
|
4.
|
Occupation
|
Unemployed
|
7
|
11.7
|
|
Agriculture
|
2
|
3.3
|
|
Coolie
|
3
|
5.0
|
|
Self-employee
|
12
|
20
|
|
Gov.
employee
|
28
|
46.7
|
|
Professionals
|
8
|
13.3
|
|
5.
|
Monthly Income
|
<5000
|
4
|
6.7
|
|
5001-10,000
|
18
|
30
|
|
10,001-25,00
|
29
|
48.3
|
|
25,000-50,000
|
8
|
13.3
|
|
>50,000
|
1
|
1.7
|
|
6.
|
Duration of marrage
|
1-3 years
|
2
|
3.3
|
|
4-6 years
|
9
|
15
|
|
7-9 years
|
3
|
5
|
|
>9 years
|
46
|
76.7
|
|
7.
|
Type of Marriage
|
Love
Marriage
|
2
|
3.3
|
|
Arranged
Marriage
|
49
|
81.7
|
|
Love
cum Arranged Marriage
|
9
|
15
|
|
8.
|
Intercaste marriage
|
Yes
|
7
|
11.7
|
|
No
|
53
|
88.3
|
|
9.
|
Number of Children
|
Nill
|
4
|
6.7
|
|
1
|
13
|
21.7
|
|
2
|
33
|
55
|
|
3
|
4
|
6.6
|
|
More than 3
|
4
|
6.7
|
|
10.
|
Type of Family
|
Nuclear
|
41
|
68.3
|
|
Joint
|
19
|
31.7
|
|
11.
|
Type of residence
|
Own House
|
55
|
91.7
|
|
Rent house
|
5
|
8.3
|
|
12.
|
Family support
|
Yes
|
55
|
91.7
|
|
No
|
5
|
8.3
|
|
13
|
Patient's illness affects family stability
|
Yes
|
43
|
17.7
|
|
No
|
17
|
28.3
|
|
14.
|
Patient's illness affects work efficiency
|
Yes
|
46
|
76.7
|
|
No
|
14
|
23.3
|
|
15
|
Presence of any illness
|
Yes
|
13
|
21.7
|
|
No
|
47
|
78.3
|
Table1. depicts that half of
the subjects, i.e. 31(51.6%) were in the
age group of 25-45years and majority of them 36(60%)
were males. Of the total subjects, 41(68.3%)were educated up to higher
secondary and above and most of them i.e 53(87.3%)
were employed. Majority of them 46(76.7%) were having a duration of marriage
more than 9years and 49(81.7%) of the marriages were arranged marriage. Most of
them 33(55%) were having two children. Majority of them 41(68.3%) were from
nuclear family and 55(91.7%) of them were staying in own house. Majority of
them 55(91.1%) had good family support and all the subjects were the primary
caregiver. Disturbed family stability because of patients mental illness was
reported by 43(71.7%) of the sample and the work efficiency of 46(76.7%) of the
subjects were affected by patients illness. Most of the subjects 47(78.3%)
reported as having no illness.
Section II : Patient
Characteristics
Table
2. Distribution of patient based on socio demographic and illness related
variables n=60
|
Sl.No
|
Demographic
Variables
|
Frequency
(f)
|
Percentage
(%)
|
|
1.
|
Age (in
year)
|
25-35
|
15
|
25
|
|
36-45
|
13
|
21.7
|
|
46-55
|
21
|
35
|
|
56-65
|
11
|
18.3
|
|
2.
|
Gender
|
Male
|
24
|
40
|
|
Female
|
36
|
60
|
|
3.
|
Education
|
Primary
|
5
|
8.3
|
|
Secondary
|
13
|
21.7
|
|
Higher
Secondary
|
20
|
16
|
|
Graduate
|
16
|
26.7
|
|
Post
Graduate
|
6
|
10
|
|
4.
|
Occupation
|
Unemployed
|
24
|
40
|
|
Coolie
|
2
|
3.3
|
|
Self-employee
|
11
|
18.3
|
|
Gov.
employee
|
22
|
36.7
|
|
Professionals
|
1
|
1.7
|
|
5.
|
Diagnosis
|
Depression
|
14
|
23.3
|
|
Mania
|
18
|
30
|
|
schizoaffective
|
13
|
21.7
|
|
Schizoaffective
disorder
|
3
|
5
|
|
Organic
mental disorder
|
4
|
6.7
|
|
Other
|
8
|
13.3
|
|
6.
|
Duration of
illness
|
2-5 years
|
12
|
22
|
|
6-10 years
|
16
|
26.7
|
|
>10 year
|
32
|
53.3
|
|
7.
|
Month of
illness in last 2 years
|
<6
months
|
32
|
53.3
|
|
7-12 month
|
24
|
40
|
|
13-18 month
|
4
|
6.7
|
|
8.
|
Co-mordid illness
|
Yes
|
27
|
45
|
|
No
|
33
|
55
|
Table 2.depicts that more
than half of the patients i.e. 32(53.3%)
were in the age group of 46-66 years and majority of them 35(58.3%) were
females. Of the total patients i.e. 44(70%) of them were educated up to higher
secondary and above and most of them 34(56.7%) were employed. More than
half of the patients i.e. 32(53.3%) had illness of a duration more than 10
years and 32(53.3%) had months of illness less than 6 months. Almost all i.e.
60(100%) of them had regular follow-up as well as nearly half i.e. 27(45%) had
co morbid illness.
Section III: Mean,
Median, Range and Standard deviation of marital satisfaction scores
Table 3: Distribution of
Mean, Median , Range and Standard deviation of marital satisfaction scores n=60
|
Marital
satisfaction
|
Mean
|
Median
|
Range
|
Standard
deviation
|
|
Marital
satisfaction score
|
109.70
|
108
|
96
|
18.969
|
Section IV: Marital
Satisfaction among spouses of patients with severe mental illness n=60
Figure
1. Marital satisfaction among spouses of
patients with severe mental illness
Figure 1. depicts the marital satisfaction among
spouses of patients with severe mental illness.. Among the 60 subjects,
41(68.3%) have satisfaction and 19(31.7%) have dissatisfaction in their marital
relationship.
Section
V: Degree of happiness in marital
relationship among spouses of patients with severe mental illness n=60
Figure
2. Distribution of subjects based on degree of happiness in the marital
relationship
Figure 2. depicts the
distribution of subjects based on the degree of happiness in their marital
relationship. Among the 60 subjects, 48(80%) were unhappy with their
relationships in varying levels ie. 44(70%) a little
unhappy, 3(5%) fairly unhappy and
1(1.7%) extremely unhappy. Only 12(20%) of the subjects were happy in their
marital relationship.
Section V: Distribution of the subjects based on their
feelings about their relationship with mentally ill partner
Table 4. : Distribution
of the subjects based on their feelings about their relationship with mentally
ill partner n=60
|
Sl.
No
|
Items
Responses
|
Sores(%)
|
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5 Items
Responses
|
|
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
|
Boring
Bad
Empty
Lonely
Fragile
Discouraging
Miserable
|
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
|
0
0
3.3
1.7
0
1.7
1.7
|
15
15
13.3
23.3
16.7
20
13.3
|
65
56.7
51.7
46.7
60
55
60
|
15
26.7
28.3
25
15
18.3
20
|
5 Interesting
1.7 Good
3.3
Full
3.3
Friendly
8.3
Sturdy
5
Hopeful
5
Enjoyable
|
Table 4. depicts the distribution
of the subjects based on their feelings about their relationship with mentally
ill partner. Only 5% of the subjects feels the relationship as interesting,
1.7% as good, 3.3% as full, 3.3% as full and friendly, 8.3% as sturdy and 5% as
hopeful and enjoyable.
Section III:
Association between marital satisfaction of spouses and selected demographic
variables.
Table 5. Association between marital satisfaction and selected
demographic variables of spouses
|
Sl.
No
|
Demographic
variables
|
Material
Satisfaction
|
Chi-square
|
df
|
p value
|
|
Satisfied
|
Dissatisfied
|
|
f %
|
f %
|
|
1.
|
Age
|
25-45 year
|
17
|
58.7
|
12
|
45
|
5.398*
|
1
|
0.020
|
|
45-66 year
|
24
|
82.8
|
5
|
17.2
|
|
2.
|
Gender
|
Male
|
29
|
80.6
|
7
|
19.4
|
6.213**
|
1
|
0.013
|
|
Female
|
12
|
50
|
12
|
50
|
|
3.
|
Education
|
Up to
secondary
|
10
|
55.6
|
8
|
44.4
|
2.616ns
|
2
|
0.270
|
|
Higher
secondary
|
16
|
80
|
4
|
20
|
|
Above
Higher secondary
|
15
|
31.8
|
7
|
31.8
|
|
4.
|
Occupation
(#)
|
Unemployed
|
2
|
28.6
|
5
|
71.4
|
-
|
-
|
0.016*
|
|
Employed
|
39
|
73.6
|
14
|
26.4
|
|
5.
|
Monthly Income
|
Up to
10,000
|
14
|
64.3
|
5
|
35.7
|
-
|
-
|
0.552
|
|
Above
10,000
|
27
|
69.6
|
14
|
30.4
|
|
6.
|
Duration of marriage (#)
|
1-9years
|
9
|
64.3
|
5
|
35.7
|
-
|
-
|
0.749ns
|
|
>9years
|
32
|
69.6
|
14
|
30.4
|
|
7.
|
Type of marriage (#)
|
Arranged
|
34
|
69.4
|
15
|
30.6
|
-
|
-
|
0.028*
|
|
Love
cum Arrangedmarriage
|
7
|
63.3
|
4
|
36.4
|
|
8.
|
Intercaste marriage (#)
|
Yes
|
2
|
28.6
|
5
|
71.4
|
-
|
-
|
0.028*
|
|
No
|
39
|
78.6
|
4
|
26.4
|
|
9.
|
Number of children(#)
|
Nil
|
3
|
50
|
3
|
50
|
-
|
-
|
0.248ns
|
|
1-3
|
34
|
68
|
16
|
32
|
|
>3
|
4
|
100
|
-
|
|
|
10.
|
Type of family
|
Joint
|
13
|
68.4
|
6
|
31.6
|
0.000ns
|
|
0.992
|
|
Nuclear
|
68.3
|
13
|
31.7
|
|
|
11.
|
Type of residence
|
Own house
|
38
|
69.1
|
17
|
30.9
|
0.175ns
|
1
|
0.648
|
|
Rent house
|
2
|
40
|
3
|
60
|
|
12.
|
Family support (#)
|
Yes
|
37
|
67.3
|
18
|
32.7
|
-
|
-
|
1.000ns
|
|
No
|
4
|
80
|
1
|
20
|
|
13.
|
Patient’s illness affects family stability (#)
|
Yes
|
28
|
65.1
|
15
|
34
|
-
|
-
|
0.541ns
|
|
No
|
13
|
76.5
|
4
|
23.5
|
|
14.
|
 Patient’s illness affects work efficiency (#)
|
Yes
|
30
|
65.2
|
16
|
34
|
-
|
-
|
0.515ns
|
|
No
|
11
|
78.6
|
3
|
23.5
|
|
15.
|
Presence of any illness
|
Yes
|
12
|
92.3
|
1
|
7.7
|
4.408*
|
1
|
0.045
|
|
No
|
29
|
61.7
|
18
|
38.3
|
χ2 (1)=
3.84, χ2(2)= 5.99 , ns=not significant , * = p<0.05, # =
Association with Fisher’s exact test
Section IV:
Association between marital satisfaction of spouses and selected patient
variables
Table
6. Association between marital satisfaction of spouses and selected patient
variables
|
Sl.
no
|
Demographic
variables
|
Material
Satisfaction
|
Chi-square
|
df
|
p value
|
|
Satisfied
|
Dissatisfied
|
|
f %
|
f %
|
|
1.
|
Age
|
25-45 year
|
19
|
67.9
|
9
|
32.1
|
0.006ns
|
1
|
0.941
|
|
45-66 year
|
22
|
46.3
|
10
|
47.4
|
|
2.
|
Gender
|
Male
|
12
|
50
|
12
|
50
|
.213**
|
1
|
0.013
|
|
Female
|
29
|
80.6
|
7
|
19.4
|
|
3.
|
Education
|
Up to
secondary
|
11
|
57..9
|
8
|
42.9
|
1.582ns
|
2
|
0.453
|
|
Higher
secondary
|
14
|
70
|
6
|
30
|
|
Above
Higher secondary
|
16
|
76.2
|
5
|
23.8
|
|
4.
|
Occupation
|
Unemployed
|
19
|
79.2
|
5
|
20.8
|
2.169ns
|
1
|
0.167
|
|
Employed
|
22
|
61.1
|
14
|
388.9
|
|
5.
|
Diagnosis
|
Mood
disorders
|
26
|
81.3
|
6
|
18.8
|
5.287*
|
1
|
0.021
|
|
Other
psychiatric disorders
|
5
|
53.6
|
13
|
46.4
|
|
6.
|
Age of onset
|
15-35
|
29
|
74.4
|
10
|
25.6
|
1.870ns
|
1
|
0.172
|
|
36-55
|
12
|
57.1
|
9
|
42.9
|
|
7.
|
Duration of illness
|
1-10years
|
18
|
64.3
|
10
|
35.7
|
0.397ns
|
1
|
0.528
|
|
>10yearss
|
23
|
71.9
|
9
|
28.1
|
|
8.
|
Months of illness in past 2 years
|
<6
months
|
26
|
81.2
|
6
|
18.8
|
5.287*
|
1
|
0.021
|
|
>6months
|
15
|
53.6
|
13
|
46.4
|
|
9.
|
Co-morbid illness
|
Present
|
18
|
66.7
|
9
|
33.3
|
0.063ns
|
1
|
0.802
|
|
Absent
|
23
|
69.7
|
10
|
30.3
|
χ2 (1)= 3.84, χ2 (2)= 5.99 , ns=not
significant , * = p<0.05, # = Association with Fisher’s exact test
The data presented in Table 5. shows that calculated x2
values are more than the table value for age (χ2(1)= 5.398,
p<0.05),gender (χ2(1)= 6.213, p<0.05),
occupation (p<0.01), intercaste marriage
(p<0.05) presence of illness(χ2(1)= 4.408, p<0.05) So
there is statistically significant association between marital satisfaction and
their and selected socio demographic variables such as age, gender, occupation,
intercaste marriage an presence of any illness. No
significant association was observed between marital satisfaction and other
selected socio demographic variables.
The data presented in Table 6. shows that calculated χ2
values are more than table value for gender (χ2 ((1)=
6.213, p<0.05), diagnosis (χ2 (1)= 5.287, p<0.05)
and months of illness in past 2years (χ2 (1)= 5.287,
p<0.05) So there is a significant association between subjects marital satisfaction and selected
patient variables such as gender, diagnosis and months of illness in past 2 years.
No significant association was found between marital satisfaction of spouses
and other patient variables.
DISCUSSION:
In the present study,
the marital satisfaction among spouses of 60 patients with severe mental
illness was assessed. Satisfaction in marital relationship was found in
41(68.3%) of the spouses and 19(31.7%) were unsatisfied in their marital
relationship. It was found that among the 60 subjects, 48(80%) were unhappy with
their relationships and only 12(20%) of the subjects were happy in their
marital relationship. Also it was found that, only 5% of the subjects feels the
relationship as interesting, 1.7% as good, 3.3% as full, 3.3% as full and
friendly, 8.3% as sturdy and 5% as hopeful and enjoyable. These findings
reveals that the spouses of mentally ill clients are themselves at risk for
psychological distress due to the burdens associated with caring for someone
with mental illness; burdens such as the feelings of helplessness,
hopelessness, fear, uncertainty, the possibility of re-occurrence of disease,
the emotional strain on the spouse, and the individual’s lack of energy. This
study was also supported by Whisman, M. A. (2007) in
his study on Marital distress and DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a
population-based national survey, stated that there is a sizable body of
literature showing an association between psychiatric illnesses and marital
dissatisfaction.4 Matthias
C.(2006) in his study on Quality of life of spouses of mentally ill also stated
that,
spouses of people with mental disorder experience various forms of objective
and subjective burden. This should negatively affect their quality of life.
Compared with the general population, the quality of life of the spouses of
mentally ill people was lower in the domains ‘psychological well-being’ and
‘social relationships. There was a significant association between the
patient's functional level and the spouse's quality of life.6
The current study shows that there is a statistically
significant association between marital satisfaction of the spouses and their
selected demographic variables such as age (χ2 (1)= 5.398,
p<0.05),gender (χ2 (1)= 6.213, p<0.05),
occupation (p<0.01), intercaste marriage
(p<0.05) presence of any illness(χ2
(1)= 4.408, p<0.05). It was found that the spouses above the age
group of 45 experienced good marital satisfaction compared to the age group
below 45 years. This may because that, the age group above 45 years may have more marital adjustment, understanding,
good coping skills etc. compared to the age group below 45 years. This was par
with a study conducted by Robert W.(1997) in a study Long term marriage: age,
gender and satisfaction, he stated that couples, some of who at are middle aged
and on the threshold of old age, have the potential for providing emotional
support and increasing affective positivity.7 Gender also plays a
significant role in marital satisfaction. From the study it was found that
spouses of female patients experienced more satisfaction in marital
relationship than that of spouses of male patients. This may because, the
female spouses may have fear, hopelessness, helplessness, dependent,
uncertainty, poor coping skills compared to that of the male spouses. This was
supported by a study by Sandhya C.
has revealed that women experience and respond to stress in distinctive ways
compared to men. Women's stress response process is both qualitatively and
quantitatively different in terms of hormonal profile, activation of the
sympathetic, adrenal, medullary and
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-cortical response pathways, and in emotional
quality. In addition, the nature of women's lives and realities render them at
risk for stress-related effects more often than men.8 Being unemployed,
experiencing a drop in socio-economic level were associated with a poor marital
outcome. The unemployed
individuals lack sociological functions such as time structure, status and identity,
social contacts and regular activity. They may be residing in home only, which
in turn could develop many illnesses. Moreover they have financial constraints
in meeting the medical cost.
It was found that a significant association existed between type of marriage
and marital satisfaction. Individuals with arranged marriage experienced more
satisfaction than that of intercaste marriage. This
may because in intercaste marriage the individuals
may have less family support, poor coping skills etc. compared to that
individuals with arranged marriage. Presence of illness in spouses also showed
significant association between marital satisfaction. This was in par with a
study conducted by Coyne J on Couples coping with chronic and catastrophic
illness. It stated that the associations between different physical health problems
of a spouse and the participant’s marital satisfaction were evaluated in a
United States population-based survey of married individuals. It was found that
compared to people whose spouse did not have the corresponding health problem,
marital satisfaction was lower for people with a spouse suffering from various
physical illness.9
In the study, it was also found out that there was a
significant association between marital satisfaction and selected patient
variables such as gender (χ2 (1)= 6.213, p<0.05),
diagnosis(χ2 (1)= 5.287, p<0.05) and months of
illness in past 2years ( (χ2(1)= 5.287, p<0.05). Gender plays a important role in marital
satisfaction. In the study it was found that marital satisfaction was high in
female patients compared to that of male patients. This may because, the male
spouses has more adjustment, good coping skills etc. than that of female
spouses This was supported by a study by Sandhya C. has revealed that women experience and respond to
stress in distinctive ways compared to men. Women's stress response process is
both qualitatively and quantitatively different in terms of hormonal profile,
activation of the sympathetic, adrenal, medullary and
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-cortical response pathways, and in emotional
quality. In addition, the nature of women's lives and realities render them at
risk for stress-related effects more often than men.8. In this study
it was found that, diagnosis of the patient has an effect on marital
relationship. This study was
par with a study conducted by Coyne et al. stated that a significantly high
association was also found between a spouses diagnosed with mood disorders and
the participant’s decreased marital satisfaction. One possible reason for this
finding is that living with a spouse diagnosed with mood disorder is a source
of considerable psychological burden. Living with a depressed spouse may also
affect a person’s mood making it difficult to function well in the relationship5.
A study conducted by Shahrokh
A et.al (2012 )also stated that mood disorders such as depression has a direct
influence on lowering marital satisfaction.10 It was also fund in
the study that months of illness also have a significant association with
marital satisfaction. In study it revealed that, patients with months of
illness less than 6 months experienced more marital satisfaction than that of
patients with more than 6 months. This may because due to the duration of
illness, increased relapse rates, non-compliance to treatment etc.
CONCLUSION:
Marital satisfaction is a special case of
relationship satisfaction, and is the degree to which partners in marriages
assess their approval of different aspects of their marital relations. Mental
and physical health problems of a spouse can be difficult and upsetting for
both patient and partner. As a couple learns to cope with the consequences of
illness, the relationship changes and the sick individual is likely to turn to
his or her spouse for emotional and tangible support.
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