Menopause Symptomatology, Spousal Support and Psycho-Social Wellbeing among Middle-Aged Women

Abstract

The study explores the relationship between menopause symptomatology, spousal support, and psychological well-being among middle-aged women in. It was hypothesized that there was likely to be a relationship between psycho-social well-being and demographic variables among middle-aged women. It was hypothesized that was likely to be a negative relationship between menopause symptomatology and psycho-social well-being, and a positive relationship between spousal support and psycho-social well-being among middle-aged women. It was hypothesized there was likely to be a predictive role of menopausal symptomatology with higher menopausal symptomatology negatively predicting psychosocial well-being among middle-aged women. It was hypothesized there was likely to be a predictive role of spousal support, with higher spousal support positively predicting psycho-social well-being among middle-aged women. It was hypothesized there was likely to be a difference in menopausal symptomatology, spousal support and psycho-social wellbeing in middle-aged women across occupations. Correlational study design was employed in the research. The sample of N=250 middle aged women between 45-60 years was recruited through non-probability purposive sampling techniques from different gynecology clinics in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The scales that were used were Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) (Heinemann et al., 2004; Schneider & Thiele, 1990), Menopausal Spousal Support Questionnaire (MSSQ) (Idiana et al., 2022) and Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) (Westerhof & Keyes, 2009) along with demographic sheet and informed consent form. The results of Pearson product moment correlation showed that menopausal symptomatology (somatic-vegetative, psychological, and urogenital symptoms) was negatively correlated with psychosocial well-being. Psychosocial symptoms and urogenital symptoms were also significantly and negatively correlated with spousal support. Whereas spousal support was a significant predictor of psychosocial well-being. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed that menopausal symptomatology was a significant and negative predictor of psychosocial wellbeing whereas spousal support was significant and positive predictor of psychosocial wellbeing with spousal support being a stronger predictor. The results of the independent sample t-test showed that employed women had higher scores in menopausal symptomatology and its domains compared to housewives.