Investigation of body image, self-esteem, and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence

Abstract

Aim The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of urinary incontinence on body image, self-esteem, and quality of life. Methods The study was conducted with 218 women with urinary incontinence. The study data were collected using the Socio-Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Body Cathexis Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results There was a weak, statistically significant, positive relationship found between the Body Cathexis Scale total average scores and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale total average scores of the women and a weak, statistically significant, negative relationship with the Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire total average scores. In addition, a weak, statistically significant, negative relationship was found between the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale total score averages and Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire total score averages. Significant effects were seen for body image score with pad usage; for self-esteem in relation to number of deliveries, duration, and frequency of urinary incontinence; and for incontinence quality of life and duration and frequency of urinary incontinence and pad usage. Conclusions It was concluded that most of the women with urinary incontinence had negative body image and that more than half of them had moderate or low self-esteem and a moderate quality of life.