The role of loneliness, sexual satisfaction and forgiveness in predicting depression in women affected by infidelity

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of loneliness, sexual satisfaction, and forgiveness in predicting depression in women affected by infidelity. Methods: 250 women affected by infidelity in Tehran were selected usinghe purposive sampling method and participated in this study. Participants completed the Russell & Pilva & Cortona (1980) Loneliness Questionnaire, Larson et al. (1998), Ray et al. (2001), and Beck (1996) Depression Inventory. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. Results: The findings showed that there was a significant negative relationship between feelings of loneliness and depression (P <0.01) and a significant positive relationship between sexual satisfaction and forgiveness with depression (P <0.01). The results of multiple regression also showed that feelings of loneliness, sexual satisfaction, and forgiveness play a role in predicting depression in women affected by infidelity and the share of feelings of loneliness was greater than other predictor variables. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that feelings of loneliness, sexual satisfaction, and forgiveness are effective on depression in women affected by infidelity.