Marital Satisfaction Throughout the Journey of Weight-Loss Surgery

Description

A mixed-methods’ approach was designed to explore the marital impacts
following weight-loss surgery (WLS). In Phase 1, ten individual interviews with spouses
of five couples were conducted; two of the couples had the wives preparing for WLS, two
of the couples consisted of wives who had WLS, and one couple had both received the
surgery. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a combination of interpretive
phenomenological and grounded theory techniques. Findings demonstrated that WLS
does have impacts on marriage regardless of where couples are in their journey. All
couples discussed food as a possible source of conflict in their relationship. Interviews
also reveled that self-esteem is a major factor contributing to their relationship and
support is necessary throughout. In Phase 2 an online survey was developed to
quantitatively explore the important constructs deemed important from the participants in
Phase 1. Relationships between relationship satisfaction, sexual conflict, self-esteem,
depression and body image were examined in 54 participants. Results demonstrate that
higher levels of support and self-esteem and lower sexual conflict relate to a more
satisfactory relationship in individuals post- WLS.
Author Keywords: marital satsifaction, mixed-methods, qualitative, relationship satisfaction, weight-loss, Weight-loss surgery