Prevalence of Somatic Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Married Women Having a Distant Relationship With Their Spouses in Mangalore, India

Effect of Marital Status on Women's Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of Urban Women in Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu

Background Quality of life (QoL), as defined by the World Health Organization, is a subjective evaluation influenced by cultural and environmental factors. It is a complex, multidimensional concept that encompasses various aspects of an individual's well-being. This study aimed to understand how marital status affects the QoL of women by comparing married and single women residing in the urban field practice area of a tertiary care Hospital. Methods This cross-sectional study includes 200 women, comprising 100 single and 100 married participants, aged 20-60 years. Data were collected using the WHO-QOL-BREF questionnaire, which assesses the following four domains of QoL: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Demographic information was also gathered. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 25.0. Results Significant differences were found between single and married women in age distribution (p<0.0001), family type (p=0.002), presence of children (p=0.001), educational qualifications (p=0.02), and family income (p<0.0001). Married women reported higher median family incomes and better QoL scores in the social domain (p<0.0001), while single women were predominantly younger and more likely to live in nuclear families. No significant differences were observed in the physical, psychological, or environmental domains of QoL between the groups. Conclusion The study highlights the impact of marital status on various QoL aspects, with married women experiencing better social support and personal relationships. Despite this, the absence of significant disparities in other QoL domains suggests that marital status does not uniformly affect overall QoL.

Quality of life, social support, and pathways of care among persons with psychiatric disorders-A cross-sectional study

Background

Patients with psychiatric disorders have varied psychosocial realities embedded in the community context. Help-seeking behavior is extremely crucial in determining the prognosis and outcome of interventions.

Objectives

(1) To assess the levels of quality of life, perceived social support, and decision to first seek help. (2) To assess the association of socio-demographic variables with these domains.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive survey with 100 psychiatric patients in a tertiary care setting employed three scales, namely WHOQOL-BREF, PSSS, and WHO Pathways Encounter form.

Results

Patients had higher levels of quality of life and perceived social support. The majority of patients chose health professionals over faith healers at the onset of symptoms, had higher reliance on family members, and continued with hospital visits till the third follow-up. Sex, occupation, and marital status were associated with perceived social support, and duration of illness was associated with help-seeking behavior.

Conclusions

Community-based interventions must include holistic services and reduce the gap between onset and first contact, leading to higher quality of life and perceived social support.