Psychological Health of Wives’ of Patients with Chronic Illnesses

Authors

  • Daanesh Marazban Umrigar Department of Psychology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India
  • Rajendra Mhaske Department of Psychology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v4i1.3879

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Chronic illnesses are more prevalent in males. The expectations of caregiving, thus falls on the women. Role expectations from women, increases stress, strain and the possibility of Psychological health concerns. In this paper, we explore the psychological health, as well as the levels of marital and sexual satisfaction of women caregivers.

Method: The sample consisted of 35 women, whose husbands were diagnosed with, and undergoing treatment for a chronic illness (Coronary Heart Disease (CHD); Diabetes; or Cancer). Three standardized questionnaires, the Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS), Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21) were used.

Results: Correlational and predictive analysis were conducted on the data. Clinically significant marital and sexual dissatisfaction were found. Wives’ also reported moderate levels of depression and anxiety, but severe levels of stress. Depression and Sexual satisfaction were found to be significant predictors of marital satisfaction.

Discussion: Women caregiver are impacted by the illness status of their spouse. The additional stress of caregiving, along with societally ascribed roles and responsibilities on women creates a more difficult, stressful environment, which affects psychological health and well-being.

Keywords:

Depression; Anxiety; Stress; Wives’; Caregivers; Chronic Illness

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How to Cite

Umrigar, D. M., & Mhaske, R. (2022). Psychological Health of Wives’ of Patients with Chronic Illnesses. Journal of Psychological Research, 4(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v4i1.3879

Issue

Vol. 4 , Iss. 1 (January 2022)

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2022 Daanesh Marazban Umrigar, Rajendra Mhaske

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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