Korean Journal of Human Ecology (한국생활과학회지)

Korean Association of Human Ecology (한국생활과학회)
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The Factors Related to the Menopausal Symptoms of Married Middle-Aged Women: Focus on the Effects of Attitudes toward Menopause and Family Related Variables

기혼 중년여성의 갱년기 증상에 영향을 미치는 변인에 관한 연구 - 폐경에 대한 태도와 가족관련 변인을 중심으로 -

  • Kim, Eunkyung (Dept. of Child Development and Family Studies, Changwon National University) ;
  • Lee, Kyung-Hae (Dept. of Food and Nutrition, Changwon National University)
  • Received : 2012.09.11
  • Accepted : 2012.11.23
  • Published : 2012.12.31
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify how attitudes toward menopause and family-related variables (living with a first child, satisfaction with children, and marital satisfaction) were associated with the perceived menopausal symptoms of middle-aged Korean females. Data for the study were based on a community sample of 628 women whose ages ranged from 45 to 60, who were currently married and had at least one child. The respondents reported lower levels of menopausal symptoms, medium levels of marital satisfaction and slightly higher levels of satisfaction with children. Feelings of tiredness, irritability, and nervousness without apparent reason, and aches in the lumbago and joints were common menopausal symptoms reported in this study. Regression analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of monthly income, educational level, employment status, attitudes toward menopause, living with a first child, satisfaction with children, and marital satisfaction on perceived menopausal symptoms. Attitudes toward menopause, living with a first child, satisfaction with children and marital satisfaction were significantly associated with perceived menopausal symptoms. In particular, marital satisfaction had the strongest effect on perceived menopausal symptoms. The results showed that in the face of the developmental challenges experienced during the menopausal transition, family-related variables served as positive reinforcement for married middle-aged women. This finding suggests that in order to improve the menopausal transition, family education programs need to be developed and offered to middle aged females who suffer from severe menopausal symptoms.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : 창원대학교

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