Comparison of different aspects of family relations between diabetic and non-diabetic women

Psychological and sexual problems are more prevalent among diabetic women, and diabetes, as a chronic disease threatens mental health itself. Considering the fact that both factors can affect family relationship, and that family relations are the cornerstones of an ideal community relationship, this study was conducted to assess and compare the family relationship of diabetic and non-diabetic women. Data were collected from 198 and 81 non-diabetic and diabetic 25-50 year old married women, respectively, who were randomly selected and administered the Stevens Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ), previously validated for Iran by one of the researchers. This 72-item questionnaire measures Assertive Conflict Resolution (ACR), Intimate Communication (Int), Romantic Attitudes and Behaviors (Rom), Equality (Eq), Independence (Ind), and Liberated Role Beliefs (Lib). The total score of this questionnaire is between +144 and – 144. Mean ages of the women with and without diabetes were 36.4 ± 11.2 and 33.8 ± 7.8 years, respectively. Mean overall SRQ scores in non-diabetic and diabetic individuals were –3.37±22 and –1.15± 20, respectively, without any significant statistical difference. Romantic family relationship scores (Rom) in diabetic women and non-diabetic women were +2.92 ± 7.2 and +5/13 ± 9.1, respectively, (p<0.05), and Intimacy in family relationship scores (Int) were lower in diabetic women than in the non-diabetics (-1.92 ± 5.1 vs. –0.93 ± 4.4, p<0.05). On the other hand, Independence (Ind) in diabetic women was more than the non-diabetics (-4.58 ± 4.8 vs. –6.74 ± 7.4, p<0.05). No significant difference was found in overall SRQ scores between diabetic and non-diabetic women, although none of the diabetic and non-diabetic women SRQ scores were suitable.