Research comparing the dyadic adjustment and sexual functioning concerns of diabetic and nondiabetic women

The dyadic relationship and sexual functioning concerns of a group of diabetic women and a matched control group of nondiabetic women were compared. There was no statistically significant difference in overall dyadic adjustment between the two groups. Both diabetic and nondiabetic women were moderately well adjusted. However, diabetic women were significantly more concerned than nondiabetic women in the following six specific sexual functioning areas: (a) frequency of feeling sexual repulsion, (b) frequency of difficulty with vaginal lubrication, (c) frequency of difficulty reaching orgasm, (d) impact of genital discomfort, (e) frequency of performance anxiety, and (f) impact of performance anxiety. Therefore, health care professionals need to use the suggested holistic approaches in helping diabetic women overcome these sexual functioning concerns. Finally, the relationship between level of sexual functioning concerns and overall dyadic adjustment was not statistically significant for either group. This finding supports the belief that sexual and marital factors may operate independently.