J Nurs Acad Soc.  1995 Dec;25(4):807-824.

A Study on the Menopause Experience: A Q-Methodological Approach

• Shin HS

Abstract

This study was intended to provide women who are experiencing menopause with effective nursing care by exploring the menopause experience. The purpose of the research was to understand the subjective feelings of women about the question of what the menopause experience is. Q-Methodological method was used for that purpose. As the research method, Q-statements were collected preliminary to the study of through in-depth interviews and a literature review. For the study 34 Q-statements were selected. There were 21 women as subjects for the research. The 21 women sorted the 34 statements using the principle of Forced Normal Distribution. The principle of Forced Normal Distribution, which has nine scales to measure the individual opinions, was called Q-Factor Analysis by using PC Quanl Program to supply the material. As a result, there were four categories (self-compassion type, self-regulation type, self-perception type, self-abandonment type) of special opinion about the menopause experience in these women. The first type was called Self-compassion. This type was associated with varying degrees of emotonal instability(psychological withdrawal). And type in menopause signifies loss of a socially valued status and may result in depressive symptoms. This type expresses the menopause experience as associated with negative reaction. The second type is called Self-regulation. This type overcomes the menopause experience more actively than the other types and do not express the menopause experience as one of suffering. This type make efforts by themselves to regulate the menopause experience. The third type is called Self-perception. This type perceives the experience of menopause which as typical menopausal syndrome (hot flashes and decreased vaginal lubrication, decreased estrogen producing atrophic changes of the labia and vaginal mucosa, making intercourse uncomfortable). The fourth type is called Self-abandonment. This type denies the experience of menopause. The meaning of menopausal experience is significantly related with a life accident or life load. Also, This type experiences pain in the musculoskeletal system. As a result, The meaning of the menopausal experience is affected by perceived subjective experience of the nurses, the need to understand each persons meaning of the menopause experience and to develop appropriate nursing interventions based on the typology of menopause experience. Finally, The result of the study will provide basic data for nursing intervention the menopausal women.

MeSH Terms

Depression
Estrogens
Female
Humans
Lubrication
Menopause*
Mucous Membrane
Musculoskeletal System
Nursing
Nursing Care
Self Concept
Self-Control
Weights and Measures
Estrogens