The Psychological stresses of Iranian Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Qualitative Study

Objective: Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that mostly affects women of thereproductive age. The effect of SLE has been largely ignored in the psychological health of theseindividuals. This study was conducted with the aim of exploring concerns of women with SLE aboutpsychological health.Methods: This qualitative research was conducted using ۲۷ semi-structured deep interviews with ۱۹married women suffering from SLE (۱۵-۴۹ years old) selected through purposive sampling in thereferral Rheumatology Center in Iran. Data analysis was performed with a content analysis approachusing the conventional method proposed by the Zhang and Wildemuth (۲۰۱۶) by ۱۰ MAXQDA.Results: The women’s concerns about psychological stress were categorized in ۲ subcategoriesincluded ۱) family disturbance (Considering the points mentioned by the participants, thesedisturbances can be experienced in response to the spouse’s apathy, behavior change of the spouse dueto the disease, the spouse not supporting the disease, and humiliation and insult by the spouse and theacquaintances) and ۲) sexual dissatisfaction (According to the participants, sexual dissatisfaction isexperienced following diminished sexual desire and dissatisfaction with sexual relationship. They feelthat they were doing something compulsory and forcefully).Conclusion: The findings clearly suggested the negative effects of SLE on psychological health ofthese women. Whereas according to SLE women talking in this study, physicians just cured their SLEbut did not pay attention their need to sexual relationship, contraceptives et al. That were essential fortheir life as women.

کلیدواژه ها:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ، Women ، Qualitative Study.