Evaluating the interrelationship of mindfulness, sexual relational concern, and health related behaviors on women's life satisfaction through path analysis.

BACKGROUND

Life satisfaction, a fundamental dimension of subjective well-being, exerts a positive influence on both physical and mental health outcomes. The present research aims to explicate the intricate interplay among mindfulness, sexual relational concerns, and health-related behaviors concerning women's life satisfaction, employing a path analysis framework.

METHODS

The current cross-sectional study, conducted between July and August 2024, involved a cohort of 250 Iranian women aged 18 to 45 years. Participants were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. A team of five researchers designed and implemented the study. Data collection utilized a demographic-midwifery questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI), and the sexual relational concerns subscale of the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W). A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit participants. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate linear regression, as well as path analysis, were performed using SPSS version 23 and AMOS version 22. For all analyses, statistical significance was determined at a threshold of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

In the path analysis model, mindfulness showed significant effects on life satisfaction (β = 0.22, P < 0.001) and sexual relational concerns (β = -0.21, P < 0.001). While sexual relational concerns exhibited a negative association with life satisfaction, this relationship was not statistically significant (β = -0.11, P = 0.087). Smoking emerged as a salient predictor, demonstrating significant effects on both life satisfaction (β = -0.13, P = 0.031) and body mass index (BMI) (β = -0.14, P = 0.021). Notably, mindfulness presented as the most influential variable; a one-unit increase in mindfulness was associated with increases of 0.26 and 0.22 in life satisfaction in univariate and multivariate regression analyses, respectively (P < 0.001). Additionally, individual factors, including economic status, smoking habits, age, and the presence of chronic diseases, contributed to the prediction of life satisfaction in these analyses.

CONCLUSION

Mindfulness demonstrated a significant association with both life satisfaction and sexual relational concerns. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between smoking and both life satisfaction and BMI. These findings suggest that interventions targeting mindfulness and health-promoting behaviors may be beneficial in enhancing life satisfaction and addressing relational challenges among women of reproductive age.