Pnm-13: Body Image and Marital Adjustment: A Comparison of Fertile and Infertile Women

Background: Considering that body image is an important component of self-esteem, women’s body image may shape relationship satisfaction in similar ways. That is, women with more positive body image may be more confident that their partners will continue to accept them and thus be more likely to take emotional risks that are necessary to maintain the marital relationship. This study therefore aimed to compare the relationship of body image with marital adjustment in fertile and infertile women in 2010 in Mashhad, Iran. Materials and Methods: This comparative correlation study was carried out on 130 fertile women referred to urban health clinics and 130 infertile women referred to Montaserieh Infertility Research Center, Mashhad who were selected using cluster and convenient sampling, respectively. Research tools were consisted of valid and reliable demographic questionnaires including personal and fertility/infertility-related information, modified Younesi Body Image Questionnaire and modified Spanier Marital Adjustment Scale (DAS), which were completed by the subjects. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS software using t-test, one way ANOVA, Spearman and Pearson correlation tests and linear regression. Results: There was no significant difference between the mean score of body image in fertile and infertile women (304.21 ± 45.85 vs. 308.1 ± 45.85). However, the mean score of marital adjustment in fertile and infertile women was significantly different (107.89 ± 21.34 vs. 113.8 ± 19.73) (p<0.02). Based on the cut point of 100 in marital adjustment scale, 67.7% of fertile women vs. 76.9%of infertile women had high and 32.3% of fertile women vs. 23.1% of infertile women had low marital adjustment score. A direct correlation was also found between body image and marital satisfaction in both fertile (p<0.001) and infertile women (p<0.0001), although the strength of relationship was higher in fertile women. Conclusion: The lower marital adjustment of fertile women in comparison to infertile ones and its direct relationship with body image should draw the attention of reproductive health care providers to adopt strategies to promote marital adjustment in fertile women particularly for those who suffer from impaired body image and marital dispute.