Association BetweenWomen’s Marital Satisfaction and Anxiety During Pregnancy

Background: : Anxiety during pregnancy is one of the major women’s health concerns all over the world. Marital satisfaction is a common factor affecting women’s anxiety. Objective: : The aim of this study was to investigate the association between marital satisfaction and anxiety in women during pregnancy. Methods: : In this cross-sectional study, 147 nulliparous women in the second trimester of pregnancy were selected using a single stage cluster sampling from Sari city, Iran, between March and July 2015. Data were collected using the demographic checklist, Spielberger anxiety inventory and enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA, t-test, Pearson coefficient correlation and liner regression) by the SPSS v.18 software. The P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: : The mean scores of state anxiety, trait anxiety and marital satisfaction of the participants were 39.018.71, 39.128.42, and 176.6127.38, respectively. According to the results of regression analysis, marital satisfaction could predict 21% and 17% of variations of state anxiety and trait anxiety of the pregnant women, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: : The assessment of marital satisfaction should be considered during the evaluation of pregnant mothers who suffer from anxiety and vice versa. When marital dissatisfaction exists, the psychological assessment of maternal status is recommended.