J Korean Acad Nurs.  2008 Jun;38(3):483-491. 10.4040/jkan.2008.38.3.483.

Relationship among Sexual Knowledge, Frequency, Satisfaction, Marital Intimacy and Levels of Depression in Stroke Survivors and Their Spouses

• Kim JH

• KMID: 1083675
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2008.38.3.483

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between sexual knowledge, frequency, satisfaction, marital intimacy, and depression levels in stroke survivors and their spouses.
METHODS
This study was a convenience sample of Korean men who had experienced a stroke and their spouses. The subjects were discharged from the hospital and received physical therapy. Data such as sexual knowledge, frequency, satisfaction, marital intimacy, and depression levels were collected from November 2005 to April 2006.
RESULTS
In a comparison of stroke survivors and their spouses, the survivors showed higher mean levels of sexual knowledge and marital intimacy. The levels of knowledge, frequency, satisfaction and marital intimacy were low and depression was mild in the subjects. There were significant correlations between sexual frequency, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy. Also, subjects with lower levels of sexual satisfaction were more depressed. The spouses who possessed greater levels of sexual knowledge reported a higher frequency of sex and greater marital intimacy. In addition, spouses who reported feeling greater levels of marital intimacy experienced fewer depressive symptoms.
CONCLUSION
These findings demonstrate a need for the development of sexual adaptation programs which could be effective in improving sexual knowledge, frequency, satisfaction, marital intimacy, and depression reported by stroke patients and their spouses. Ideally, these corrective programs should be administered before patients are discharged from the hospital.

Keyword

Stroke; Spouses; Sexual behavior; Depression

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
*Depression
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Marriage
Middle Aged
Personal Satisfaction
Sexual Behavior
*Sexuality
Spouses/*psychology
Stroke/physiopathology/*psychology
*Survivors

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