Women’s Health Bulletin
Volume:10 Issue: 3, Jul 2023

Raising disabled children can lead to significant strain and psychological distress within families, particularly for mothers as primary caregivers. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of parenting stress in the relationship between quality of life and social support in mothers of disabled children.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2022. The study population comprised all mothers of disabled children in Kermanshah, Iran. A purposive sampling method was utilized, selecting 379 individuals for the research sample. Data collection tools included the Quality of Life Scale, Social Support Inventory, and Parental Stress Questionnaire. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 27, AMOS version 25, and structural equation modeling (SEM).

The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support and mothers’ quality of life (r=0.37; P<0.01). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was observed between social support and parenting stress (r=-0.63; P<0.01), as well as between parenting stress and mothers’ quality of life (r=-0.41; P<0.01). Moreover, the indirect pathway from social support to quality of life, mediated by parenting stress, was significant (P=0.010). The model fit results showed a good fit for our model (CFI=0.98; NFI=0.97; RMSEA=0.065).

The proposed model showed a good fit. Consequently, enhancing social support and reducing parenting stress may improve the quality of life for mothers of disabled children.

One reason for family breakups is failing to treat the problems of incompatible couples. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation (ER) and logotherapy (LT) on the psychological distress of incompatible couples.

This study used an experimental design with pre- and post-tests and a control group. The statistical population comprised all incompatible couples who had sought counseling services at Avaye Kherad, Neday Baran, and the Life Counseling Center in Sari City, Iran, in 2021. The research sample comprised 69 couples who were selected using purposive sampling and divided into two experimental groups (18 people in each group) and a control group (18 people). To collect data, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) Questionnaire (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used. The collected data were analyzed using the ANCOVA test (with a significance level set at α=0.05) and SPSS version 25.

The results of the analysis showed that ER and LT were effective in reducing the psychological distress of incompatible couples. The mean depression score was significantly lower in the ER group (10.27±2.19) compared to the LT group (11.61±2.30) and the control group (15.05±2.38; P=0.001). The mean anxiety score was also significantly lower in the ER group (8.77±2.07) compared to the LT group (13.72±2.24) and the control group (13.94±2.18; P=0.004). The effectiveness of ER (10±1.87) in reducing stress was significantly higher than LT (13.38±2.59) and the control group (15.38±2.42; P=0.001).

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that emotion regulation and logotherapy can be effective therapies to reduce the problems of incompatible couples.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that involves multiple organs. Pregnant women previously diagnosed with SLE are at risk of experiencing gestational complications. However, cases of initial SLE manifestation during pregnancy are rare.

A 45-year-old pregnant woman (G7P2Ab4) was admitted to Shahid Rahimi Hospital in Khorramabad, Iran, in the 29th week of gestation due to thrombocytopenia. The patient had received a diagnosis of SLE during a routine prenatal visit but had not responded to the prescribed medications. After a comprehensive clinical and paraclinical evaluation, the patient was treated with pulse intravenous methylprednisolone, followed by prednisolone, dramatically improving her clinical condition.

Diagnosing and managing SLE during pregnancy can be controversial. An accurate evaluation of the patient’s clinical condition is essential for determining the most effective treatment strategy. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to ensure the best possible outcomes for the mother and the fetus.

Hysterosalpingography is a vital diagnostic method for identifying anatomical causes of infertility, often used as a cost-effective screening test. This study aimed to investigate hysterosalpingography results in infertile women.

A quantitative, descriptive, and analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 infertile couples referred to Ghadir Maternal and Child Hospital in Shiraz, Iran between February and July 2015-2016. Data were collected from patient records and hysterosalpingography findings. A questionnaire encompassing demographic information and hysterosalpingography results was utilized. Qualitative and quantitative variables were described using frequency and mean± standard deviation. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Chi-square, and generalized linear models via IBM SPSS version 22.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) revealed that 145 women (80.6%) exhibited normal uterine and tubal findings, while 35 women (19.4%) displayed abnormal results (classified as normal and abnormal HSG findings). Women with abnormal hysterosalpingography were observed to have a higher likelihood of primary infertility (OR=3.8, 95%CI (1.427-10.10), P=0.008). Furthermore, the study assessed the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) and identified that women in the abnormal HSG group had a higher body mass index (OR=0.89, 95%CI (0.794-0.992), P=0.035).

Tubal adhesion stemming from undiagnosed and untreated sexual infections can lead to primary infertility. Limited resources may hinder timely detection and treatment access, exacerbating the issue. The correlation between obesity and infertility could be attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle in low-income families. Encouraging health education within low to middle-income communities is recommended to prevent sexually transmitted infections and promote healthier lifestyles, ultimately reducing the incidence of primary infertility.

Mental health is a common concern in old age. Given the increase of aging population, it is crucial to pay attention to factors influencing elderly people’s mental health. This research investigated the correlations between social support and physical activity (PA) with depression and happiness in older women with memory impairment.

A descriptive-correlational approach was used in this study. The statistical population consisted of all elderly women (over 65 years old) residing in Golestan province, Iran, between February 2022 and June 2022. The sample included 384 women with mild dementia who were selected through purposive sampling. Research variables were measured using standard instruments. Data analysis was conducted using the Pearson correlation test and regression analysis in SPSS version 26.

The mean and standard deviation of social support, PA, depression, and happiness were 37.59±11.09, 1.06±1.17, 7.29±2.55, and 42.73±10.64, respectively. Regression analysis results demonstrated a negative and significant association between social support and depression (35.1%), while it showed a positive and significant association with happiness (16.5%). Furthermore, PA exhibited a negative and significant association with depression (40.9%) and a positive and significant association with joy (30.4%).

The findings of this study can contribute to the development of more effective health and physical education programs targeting elderly individuals with memory impairment to improve their mental health.

Marital dissatisfaction in women can lead to persistent adverse effects and psychological disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples on psychological distress and marital disaffection in women traumatized by their husbands’ extramarital affairs.

This semi-experimental research was conducted using a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The study population included all women visiting the Mehravaran Counseling Center in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran in 2022, who were dealing with their husbands’ extramarital affairs. After convenience sampling, 30 individuals were selected and subsequently divided into the experimental and control groups randomly following the pretest. In this process, the experimental group underwent nine weekly 60-minute sessions of EFT for couples, while the control group received no interventions. During the post-test phase, all participants completed research questionnaires. The research tools comprised the Marital Disaffection Scale and Psychological Distress Scale. The data obtained were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS version 24.

The mean (±SD) of psychological distress and marital disaffection in the control group were 23.13±3.64 and 33.13±4.29 in the pretest and 23.67±3.67 and 33.53±4.17 in the post-test. Meanwhile, the mean (±SD) of psychological distress and marital disaffection were 23.40±3.71 and 33.80±4.09 in the experimental group during the pretest and 18.53±3.96 and 28.00±3.11 in the post-test. The results indicated that EFT for couples alleviated psychological distress (P=0.001) and marital disaffection (P=0.001) in women traumatized by their husbands’ extramarital affairs.

Given the effectiveness of EFT in reducing marital disaffection and psychological distress in women traumatized by their husbands’ extramarital affairs, it is recommended to provide couples with instruction in emotion-focused strategies to reconstruct and enhance their relationships. Engaging in such an approach can help reinforce positive beliefs and effectively address the psychological challenges experienced by women traumatized by their husbands’ extramarital involvements.

Female heads of households often experience a diminished quality of life due to financial, social, and psychological challenges. This research aimed to investigate the impact of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) on the distress tolerance and resilience of female heads of households.

This study utilized a quasi-experimental design with pre-and post-tests, incorporating a control group. The study population encompassed all female heads of households under the support of the welfare centers of Aligudarz, Lorestan Province, Iran, in 2022. By convenience sampling, forty eligible individuals were selected and subsequently randomly assigned into an experimental and control groups (20 women per group). The intervention group received eight weekly 90-minute sessions of CFT, while the control group did not receive any interventions. Following the sessions, both groups underwent post-tests under the same conditions. The Resilience and Distress Tolerance Scale were administered to both groups as pretests before the training intervention. Data analysis was conducted using ANCOVA in SPSS version 27.

The mean±SD scores for distress tolerance and resilience were 39.10±4.37 and 59.30±5.29 on the pretest in the CFT intervention group, respectively, and 38.55±4.56 and 58.85±6.26 in the control group. In the post-test stage, the mean±SD score for distress tolerance in the CFT intervention group was 54.20±4.19, while in the control group, it remained at 38.55±4.56 (P<0.001). Furthermore, in the post-test stage, the mean±SD score for resilience in the intervention group was 89.35±8.35, compared to 58.85±6.26 in the control group (P<0.001). According to the results, CFT intervention significantly improved distress tolerance and resilience among female heads of households (P<0.001).

Compassion-focused therapy effectively enhanced distress tolerance and resilience in female heads of households. It is recommended that government officials take necessary steps and implement plans to provide CFT sessions for female heads of households.