Relationship between Psycho-Socio-Spiritual Distress and Religiosity among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive and metabolic condition associated with psychological, social, and quality-of-life difficulties in addition to its physical manifestations. Women with PCOS may experience depression, anxiety, body-image concerns, fertility-related difficulties, interpersonal concerns, and culturally mediated expectations concerning femininity, marriage, and motherhood. Although the psychological and social dimensions of PCOS have received increasing empirical attention, the spiritual dimension remains comparatively underexplored, particularly among Muslim women. The present study examined psycho-socio-spiritual distress and Islamic religiosity among women with PCOS and investigated the relationships among psychological, social, spiritual, and religious dimensions of their experience. Differences in distress between married and unmarried women were also examined. A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 200 women diagnosed with PCOS, aged 18–45 years, selected through purposive sampling. Participants completed the Multidimensional Distress Inventory for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome–Urdu (MDDI-PCOS-U) and the Urdu-translated IIUM Religiosity Scale (IIUMRelS). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 27. Participants reported psychological distress (M = 55.86, SD = 11.74), social distress (M = 49.32, SD = 11.15), spiritual distress (M = 46.83, SD = 12.01), and total psycho-socio-spiritual distress (M = 152.01, SD = 26.73). Islamic religiosity had a mean score of 26.53 (SD = 4.12). Religiosity was significantly negatively associated with psychological distress, r(198) = −.74, p < .001; social distress, r(198) = −.71, p < .001; spiritual distress, r(198) = −.86, p < .001; and total distress, r(198) = −.81, p < .001. Psychological, social, and spiritual distress were significantly positively intercorrelated. Married women reported higher psychological, social, spiritual, and total distress than unmarried women, with significant differences observed across all four outcomes. The findings highlight the value of culturally responsive assessment that considers psychological, reproductive, social, and spiritual dimensions of women's experiences with PCOS.