Relationship of Religious Orientation and Sense of Humor with Marital Satisfaction with the Mediation of Quality of Life among Women with Breast Cancer

Background and Objectives: Chronic diseases, such as cancer, are among the factors seriously affecting health and marital satisfaction. Regarding this, the present study was conducted with the aim of modeling marital satisfaction among women with breast cancer in Kermanshah province, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 250 females with breast cancer referring to the hospitals of Kermanshah in 2017-2018. The study population was selected through convenience sampling technique. The data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, Religious Orientation Scale by Allport, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and Sense of Humor Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by means of ANOVA and ANCOVA. Results: According to the results, sense of humor, quality of life, and religious orientation affected marital satisfaction both directly and indirectly (with the mediation of quality of life). These variables could account for 78% of marital satisfaction variance. Conclusion: As the findings of this study indicated, in addition to physical problems, women suffering from breast cancer deal with psychological issues. Regarding this, the psychologists and therapists working in the field of family affairs are recommended to reduce the stress and anxiety in these patients by the establishment of an environment boosting sense of humor, improving quality of life, and forming a proper religious orientation among the patients with the collaboration of the their family.