Impact of Perceived Social Support and Depression in Married Turkish Women on the Sexual Quality of Life: An Online Survey

Abstract

Background: Sexual life is very important for people’s physical health, psychological health, and reproductive health. Depression and  social support are among the factors that affect the quality of sexual life.

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the impact of  perceived social support on the sexual quality of life and depression in married women between the ages of 18 and 49. 

Materials and  Methods: A total of 976 married women aged 18 to 49 were included in this cross-sectional study in which an online data collection method was used Sexual Life Quality Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and Beck Depression Scale, which were used  as data collection tools. Statistical analysis used: Analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics were used  for number, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as independent group t-test, correlation, and regression analysis. The  “Enter” model was used in the logistic regression analysis. 

Results: It was established that nearly one-third of married women aged  18-49 had low levels of perceived social support and sexual quality of life, and almost half of them experienced symptoms of depression.  The quality of sexual life was 3.6 times (P = 0.001) lower in those with low social support and 1.6 times (P = 0.024) lower in those with  depression. 

Conclusion: Considering the fact that women’s sexual problems, low social support and depression are important predictors  of sexual quality of life, special attention should be paid to increasing social support to women, handling women’s sexual problems more   carefully, and detecting and treating such problems.