Jundishapur Journal of Medical Sciences

Jundishapur Journal of Medical Sciences

Predicting Marital Quality Based on Emotional Empathy and Sexual Satisfaction in Married Female Nurses in Ahvaz

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maryam Eizadi 1
Rezvan Homaei 2
Hamdollah Jayervand 3
Reza Joharifard 1
1 Department of Psychology, ahv.c., Islamic Azad university, Ahvaz, Iran.
2 Department of Psychology, Ahv.C.,Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz,Iran..
3 Department of Psychology,II.C. Islamic Azad Univers,Ilam,Iran..
10.32592/jsmj.24.2.197
Abstract
Background and Objectives Nurses, as vital human resources within the healthcare system, often face job-related stress and physical demands due to constant patient interaction, potentially impacting their overall well-being. Recognizing that emotional and cognitive factors significantly influence nurses' marital quality, this study aimed to predict marital life quality based on emotional empathy and sexual satisfaction among married female nurses in Ahvaz. Emotional empathy and sexual satisfaction are key elements affecting communication, psychological, and biological needs within a relationship.
Subjects and Methods This descriptive and correlational study included all married female nurses in Ahvaz during the academic year 2024. A convenience sample of 253 nurses participated. Marital quality was measured using the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale by Busby et al. (1995), a 14-item questionnaire assessing marital consensus, marital satisfaction, and marital cohesion. Emotional empathy was assessed using the 21-item Interpersonal Reactivity Index by Davis (1983) [Note: Tisi et al. (2001) likely adapted or validated this scale; it's best to cite the original if possible and mention any adaptations]. This scale comprises subscales for empathic concern, perspective-taking, and personal distress. Sexual satisfaction was measured using the 25-item Index of Sexual Satisfaction developed by Hudson et al. (1981). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise regression.
Results The findings revealed a positive and significant correlation between emotional empathy and marital quality, as well as between sexual satisfaction and marital quality. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that sexual satisfaction was the stronger predictor of marital quality. Furthermore, sexual satisfaction and emotional empathy together accounted for approximately 20% of the variance in marital quality.
Conclusion The results suggest that higher levels of emotional empathy enable nurses to navigate marital challenges more effectively, fostering greater understanding of their spouses' emotions and experiences, leading to increased satisfaction and intimacy. Additionally, sexual satisfaction plays a significant role in the marital quality of nurses. These findings underscore the importance of considering both emotional empathy and sexual satisfaction in efforts to support and enhance the marital well-being of female nurses.
Keywords
Nurses
Marital Quality
Emotional Empathy
Sexual Satisfaction
Subjects

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  • Receive Date 25 February 2025
  • Revise Date 05 April 2025
  • Accept Date 07 April 2025