Predictive factors of marital satisfaction in women during postpartum period: The PATH model

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to test a conceptual model considering the interrelated role of anxiety, body satisfaction, breastfeeding, SF, type of personality, income, education, history of infertility on women’s marital satisfaction (MS). Also test the mediating role of SF, anxiety, and breastfeeding.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 447 women after childbirth meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled from public health clinics. All mothers were selected in 6 month childbirth period. The female SF index (FSFI), Body Self-Relation Questionnaire (BSRQ), the Enrich Marital Satisfaction and the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) were used. Data was analyzed using descriptive test, and Path analysis. Results: We found that SF, anxiety, the level of education, income, and extraversion personality have direct effects on MS. Anxious women have worse SF and MS. In our study, SF, breastfeeding, and anxiety were the three major mediators. Body satisfaction, extraversion personality, and lower level of anxiety through improvement in SF have an indirect effect on MS. A higher level of education has a positive direct effect and indirect effect pathway from breastfeeding on MS. Furthermore, breastfeeding is more observed among educated, and infertile women that cause reduce the women's anxiety level, and this way improves SF and also MS (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that the women who had higher levels of body dissatisfaction, sexual dysfunction, and anxiety have increased the possibility of MS problems 6-month postpartum. Given these relationships, it is recommended to health professionals to educate women about body changes during postpartum and to find ways to improve mothers' MS.