Stress and sexual satisfaction among spouses of male patients with bipolar disorder: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: India has a prevalence of bipolar disorder of 0.1 percent. Spouses of patients experience substantial amount of stress handling this illness. Stress has been associated with lower degree of sexual satisfaction in normal couples. So sexual satisfaction of the spouse under considerable stress is likely to be impaired. In India, expression of sexual satisfaction is less in women, suppressing their stand on and problem over this matter, leading to significant hampering of their well-being. Few studies have examined the stress among partners of patients with BPAD and sexual satisfaction in this population. METHODS: Wives of twenty-five BPAD clients were interviewed using the perceived stress scale-10 (PSS) and sexuality scale (SS) to determine the levels of stress and degree of sexual satisfaction. Socio-demographic data and data regarding the illness and marriage was also collected for analysis. RESULTS: Average age of 34.08 and SD of 7.62, max age 57, min age 24. Max family income 60000, min income 3000. TDI avg 113, SD 88.03, max 360 m, min 3 m. Duration of cohabitation- avg 195, SD 92.10, max 432 m, min 48 m. avg duration of caregiving 96.78, SD 70.08, max 240, min 3 m. Majority hindu. The correlation coeff between SS and PSS scores was indicating moderate level of relationship of sexual satisfaction with life events. CONCLUSIONS: Primary partners of BPAD clients undergo considerable stress and have lower levels of sexual satisfaction as compared to normal populations. Physicians must interview and offer interventions if required.