The mediating effect of social support on the relationship between intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness in endometriosis women of childbearing age

Purposes: The mediating effect of social support on the relationship between intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness (PPR) was examined among the endometriosis women of childbearing age.

Method: 201 endometriosis (EM) women of childbearing age were investigated in the gynecology outpatient clinic and ward of a tertiary general hospital in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. Intimacy, PPR, and social support were measured by using the scales of Quality of Relationship Index (QRI), PPR Scale (PPRS), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). A four-step hierarchical regression analysis was conducted.

Results: Positive correlations were found among intimacy and subjective support, support utilization, and PPR. Mediation analysis indicated a partial mediating effect of support utilization on the relationship between intimacy and PPR.

Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between intimacy and PPR in EM patients of childbearing age, and the support utilization plays a partial mediating role.