Psychosocial predictors of sexual quality of life of mothers providing care for children with intellectual disabilities
Elahe Ahmadnia, Dara Rasoal, Firoozeh Veisi, Atefeh Tahmoori, Mina Abbasi, Lida Menati, Arezoo HaseliBackground
Mothers of children with intellectual disabilities often face substantial psychosocial and relational challenges that may negatively influence their sexual quality of life (SQL).
Objectives
This study aimed to examine the direct and indirect relationships among perceived social support, general health, marital satisfaction, and sexual quality of life (SQL) in mothers caring for children with intellectual disabilities in Iran.
Design
A cross-sectional quantitative design.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 274 mothers were recruited in 2025 from special schools and a welfare center in Ilam, Iran. Data were collected using validated measures of sexual quality of life, marital satisfaction, perceived social support, and general health. Structural equation modeling examined direct and indirect relationships among the variables.
Results
The mean sexual quality of life score was 67.07 ± 15.5, and mothers had a mean age of 44.93 ± 12.17 years. Mothers alone assumed primary caregiving responsibility in 62.0% of cases. Structural equation modeling showed that poorer general health had the strongest direct negative effect on sexual quality of life (β = −0.520, p < 0.001), whereas perceived social support (β = 0.312, p < 0.001) and marital satisfaction (β = 0.111, p = 0.027) had significant positive direct effects. Maternal age and severity of the child’s disability were negatively associated with sexual quality of life. The model showed excellent fit and explained 42% of the variance.
Conclusion
Sexual quality of life among mothers caring for children with intellectual disabilities was associated with general health, perceived social support, marital satisfaction, maternal age, and severity of the child’s disability. These findings highlight the importance of interventions that support maternal health, strengthen social support, and promote healthy couple relationships to improve sexual well-being in this population.