Lydia Brown1, Christina Bryant2, Valerie Brown3, Bei Bei4, Fiona Judd5. 1. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Redmond Barry Building, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: lydiaab@unimelb.edu.au. 2. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Redmond Barry Building, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Locked Bag 300, Grattan St & Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Electronic address: Christina.Bryant@thewomens.org.au. 3. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Redmond Barry Building, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: vbrown2@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au. 4. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Redmond Barry Building, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Locked Bag 300, Grattan St & Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC 3050, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Building 17, Clayton Campus, Wellington Road, University, VIC 3800, Australia. Electronic address: bei.bei@monash.edu. 5. Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Locked Bag 300, Grattan St & Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC 3050, Australia. Electronic address: Fiona.Judd@thewomens.org.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A large body of work has investigated the relationship between menopausal factors and negative well-being (e.g. anxiety and depressive symptoms), but less is known about positive well-being and its correlates among midlife women. This study tests two models with both positive and negative well-being indices as outcomes: the first included menopausal factors as predictors; the second model expanded the first by adding self-compassion, a protective trait, as a predictor and moderator. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study based on self-report questionnaires from 206 women aged 40-60, currently experiencing hot flushes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hot flush interference ratings, emotional balance, satisfaction with life, eudaimonic well-being and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: In model one, menopausal stage and hot flush frequency were independent of well-being outcomes. Beliefs about perceived control over menopause was the strongest predictor of well-being (β range: .22-.32), followed by hot flush interference ratings (β range: .15-.33). In model two, self-compassion was the strongest predictor of well-being indices (β range: .20-.39), followed by beliefs about control (β range: .16-.20) and interference ratings (β range: .17-.26). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological aspects of the menopause appear more strongly linked to well-being than physiological aspects such as menopausal stage and hot flush frequency. Specifically, self-compassion, feeling in control of menopause and low interference ratings are three factors that are associated with well-being among midlife women. These aspects could be considered in tandem, as a means to support well-being in the context of menopause.
OBJECTIVES: A large body of work has investigated the relationship between menopausal factors and negative well-being (e.g. anxiety and depressive symptoms), but less is known about positive well-being and its correlates among midlife women. This study tests two models with both positive and negative well-being indices as outcomes: the first included menopausal factors as predictors; the second model expanded the first by adding self-compassion, a protective trait, as a predictor and moderator. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study based on self-report questionnaires from 206 women aged 40-60, currently experiencing hot flushes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hot flush interference ratings, emotional balance, satisfaction with life, eudaimonic well-being and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: In model one, menopausal stage and hot flush frequency were independent of well-being outcomes. Beliefs about perceived control over menopause was the strongest predictor of well-being (β range: .22-.32), followed by hot flush interference ratings (β range: .15-.33). In model two, self-compassion was the strongest predictor of well-being indices (β range: .20-.39), followed by beliefs about control (β range: .16-.20) and interference ratings (β range: .17-.26). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological aspects of the menopause appear more strongly linked to well-being than physiological aspects such as menopausal stage and hot flush frequency. Specifically, self-compassion, feeling in control of menopause and low interference ratings are three factors that are associated with well-being among midlife women. These aspects could be considered in tandem, as a means to support well-being in the context of menopause.
Authors: Adrián Enrique Hernández-Muñoz; Ana Méndez-Magaña; Ana Lilia Fletes-Rayas; Miguel A Rangel; Lenin Torres García; José de Jesús López-Jiménez Journal: BMC Womens Health Date: 2022-07-05 Impact factor: 2.742