| Abstract [eng] |
Širvelytė, G. (2023). Body image perception and quality of life in women with endometriosis. (Master Thesis of Health Psychology). Scientific adviser: prof. dr. Laima Bulotaitė. Vilnius university, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Health Psychology: Vilnius. - 59p. The problem of the research was that it was not known what the quality of life of women with endometriosis in Lithuania is and what are the protective factors related to higher quality of life and positive body image. Participants of the study were adult women clinically diagnosed with symptomatic endometriosis. The invitation to participate in the study and the active survey link were distributed on social networks, in a closed mutual support group for endometriosis patients. Women aged 20-55 years (n=168) participated in the study. A quantitative study was conducted. The electronic survey used the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP), the Dresden Body Image Questionnaire (DBIQ-NL) and questions on socio-demographic and disease characteristics. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software and Spearman's correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test and linear regression analysis. Results. Symptoms of dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, spasmodic bowel pain, chronic fatigue, and pain during bowel movements or urination were associated with lower quality of life scores in women with endometriosis. More pronounced social support is associated with older age. Lower quality of life and social support are associated with having a romantic partner. Symptoms of dyspareunia, chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, chronic fatigue and pain when defecating or urinating are negatively associated with positive body image. The experience of infertility is associated with a more pronounced vitality index. Higher quality of life in endometriosis patients is associated with higher levels of body acceptance, sexual satisfaction, vitality and body narcissism. Higher quality of life is predicted by higher vitality and body acceptance, absence of dysmenorrhoea symptoms and higher sexual satisfaction. Self-image and social support predict higher body acceptance. The study helped to identify factors associated with higher quality of life and body image in women with endometriosis. |
