J Korean Acad Womens Health Nurs.  2000 Dec;6(4):465-476.

An Analysis of the Relationship between Climacteric Symptoms and Depression of Middle-Aged Women

• Sung MH

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between climacteric symptoms and depression of middle-aged women. Data were collected from Jul. 1 to Jul. 31, 2000 by a structured questionnaire. The Subjects were 102 middle-aged women who non-hysterectomized and ranged in age from 40 to 59. The instruments were the climacteric symptoms scale developed by Neugarten and depression scale developed by Zung. The Data were analyzed by the SPSS/PC+/-program using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The results of the study were as follows 1. Mean score of climacteric symptoms was 0.72. 2. There were statistically significant differences in the score of middle-abed women's self reported climacteric symptoms according to the age(F=3.13, P<0.05), and times of pregnancy(F=3.24, P<0.05). 3. Mean score of depression scale was 49.2. About 39% of the women displayed a variety depression symptoms. 4. Women's degree of climacteric symptoms showed a positive correlation with the degree of depression(r= 0.5393, P< 0.001). This study shows possible implication for nursing intervention of middle-aged women's health to prevent and relieve climacteric symptoms.

MeSH Terms

Climacteric*
Depression*
Female
Humans
Nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Self Report
Women's Health