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Sexual Function, Religion, Existential Well-being and Mental Health among Iranian Married Women of Reproductive Age

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Abstract

The present study investigates the relationship between sexuality and spirituality with mental health among Iranian married women of reproductive age. It was a cross-sectional, correlational study with a sample size of 120 Iranian married women in 2022. Goldberg general health, Female Sexual Function Index, and Paloutzian and Ellison spiritual health questionnaires were used to collect data. The level of spiritual health scale (SWBS) in more than half of the married women was high (50.8%) and 49.2% at the average level. Sexual dysfunction was reported at 43.3%. Sexual function, religious and existential well-being was predictors of mental health and its dimensions. The risk of sexual dysfunction was 3.33-fold higher in people who had an unfavorable level of SWBS (β = 3.33, CI: 1.558–7.099, P = 0.002) compared to those who had a favorable level of SWBS. Therefore, adhering to sexual health and relying on spirituality are emphasized in preventing mental health problems.

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Acknowledgements

We hereby express our gratitude to all the employees of the selected centers and especially to all the married women who have cooperated in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

    Hajar Pasha & Mohammad Hadi Yadollahpour

  2. Population, Family and Spiritual Research Core, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Hajar Pasha & Mohammad Hadi Yadollahpour

  3. Department of Midwifery, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

    Zohreh Khalajinia

  4. Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Hemmat Gholinia

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  1. Hajar Pasha
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  2. Zohreh Khalajinia
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  3. Mohammad Hadi Yadollahpour
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Correspondence to Zohreh Khalajinia.

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Pasha, H., Khalajinia, Z., Yadollahpour, M.H. et al. Sexual Function, Religion, Existential Well-being and Mental Health among Iranian Married Women of Reproductive Age. J Relig Health 62, 3399–3413 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01835-2

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