Investigating the Relation between Women's Body Image and Unconsummated Marriage

Experience of individuals with unconsummated marriage in Iran: A qualitative content analysis

Background

Sex is one of the important aspects of marriage and a way of expressing intimacy. Unconsummated marriage is a common problem whose prevalence is about 1.5% in Iran and can significantly influence marital life.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the unconsummated marriage in a qualitative mode to offer new and beneficial solutions resulting from a better understanding.

Materials and Methods

In this qualitative study, conventional content analysis was used. Data collection and analysis were done from April 2013 to April 2014 with 11 women and 5 men participating, who were referred to the sexual disorders clinic of Tehran Psychiatric Institute and Rasool Akram hospital of Tehran, Iran. The researchers examined the files of people referred to these clinics with the diagnosis of unconsummated marriage. Our tool for data collection was a semi-structured interview. 2 experienced faculty psychiatrists recorded all the information based on standards for reporting qualitative research guidelines. Data were analyzed using qualitative technique and coding. Guba and Lincoln criteria was used for data validity.

Results

The codes of the participants' experiences were classified into 6 main categories, which include self-concept, intrapersonal factors, partner's problem, preparedness for sex, emotional relationship between couples, and the effects of unconsummated marriage on the participant's life.

Conclusion

Significant experiences among women included excessive anxiety toward the society and their spouses, and among men were weakness and guilt. Being unable to have sex negatively affected their view of life and caused great harm to their self-perception. Participants personality traits and their self-concept, and attitude toward their partners were important issues.

The Effect of Orthodontic Intervention on Mental Health and Body Image

AIM:

Physical health especially oral and dental health can play a leading role in individuals’ mental health status. Therefore, determining the relationship between orthodontics, mental health, and body image can provide solutions for the development of treatment services and provision of greater accessibility of communities to them.

METHODS:

The present study was natural experimental research conducted to determine the relationship between orthodontic treatment, mental health, and body image. To conduct this research, individuals referring to orthodontic clinics in the city of Kermanshah and meeting the inclusion criteria in the study were selected using convenience sampling method and then they were assessed before and after undergoing orthodontics via the standardised Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ).

RESULTS:

The mean scores of mental health problems in the study participants reduced and such a difference calculated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test with a 95% confidence level was significant (P = 0.001). Moreover, all the subscales of GHQ in the study participants showed a significant decrease after orthodontics compared to the stage before that (P < 0.05). The mean score of MBSRQ before orthodontics was equal to 171.78 and this value reached 172.51 after that, indicating individuals’ increased scores and their high levels of satisfaction with their body image. Nevertheless, the given difference was trivial, and it was not statistically significant (P = 0.751).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the present study showed that orthodontic treatment could significantly increase mental health status in the clients and also improve multidimensional attitudes towards body image.