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Intimacy, libido, depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction in postpartum couples
Dissertation   Open access

Intimacy, libido, depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction in postpartum couples

Rose Marie Eckert Kunaszuk
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
May 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3090
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Abstract

Intimacy Depression, Mental Postpartum Period Nursing Practice Sexual Relationship Marriage
Objective: This study was designed to explore issues surrounding the intimate andsexual relationship of postpartum couples and the impact of those relationships onmarital satisfaction. Methods: A non-experimental, cross-sectional survey design was used. A conveniencesample of recent postpartum couples, having given birth to their second or third childand being between six and 24 weeks postpartum, were recruited into the study. Thevariables examined in this analysis were libido level, intimacy level, depressivesymptoms, demographic variables, and as the outcome, marital satisfaction. Univariateand multivariate analyses were conducted to assess relationships. Results: Twenty seven postpartum couples participated in this study. Males reportedhigher levels of libido than females. While libido level was positively associated withmarital satisfaction, for both genders, high emotional intimacy buffered the negativeeffects of low libido on marital satisfaction. Conclusions: Health care providers can provide support to the postpartum family withknowledge gained from this study. It is important to assess both mothers and fathers ofchild-bearing families for issues related to intimacy. Fathers should be encouraged toparticipate in the prenatal and postnatal care of their wives so that health care providerscan develop a sense of the family dynamics and be ready to provide support for the newfamily as needed.

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