Partner's support during pregnancy as the mediator of women's sexual satisfaction after childbirth

Abstract

The aim of the study was an empirical verification of a model assuming the influence of subjectively perceived sexual attractiveness and positive childbirth experience (PCE) (independent variables) on the level of women’s sexual satisfaction after home birth or hospital birth (dependent variable) with the mediating involvement of subjectively perceived partner’s support during pregnancy. The study was conducted with a group of 253 women after childbirth. Three standardised research tools were used in the study: the PCE Questionnaire, Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire and Body Esteem Scale as well as original tools for the evaluation of subjectively perceived partner’s support during pregnancy and childbirth. The empirical verification of the theoretical model was performed with the use of multiple regression methods. The level of subjectively perceived partner’s support during pregnancy, level of attractiveness and PCE had influence on the level of women’s sexual satisfaction. Such an influence was, however, not noticed in relation to the partner's presence during childbirth, level of partner’s support during childbirth or role of the place of childbirth. Subjectively perceived partner’s support during pregnancy is of key importance, mediating between PCE and the level of women’s sexual satisfaction after childbirth.

Keywords:

• Sexual behaviour
• sexuality
• pregnancy
• sexual satisfaction
• childbirth

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interests was reported by the author(s).