A Study on the Relationship of Marital Intimacy, Depression, and Menopausal Symptoms in Middle-aged Women

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify the relationship between marital intimacy, depression, and menopausal symptoms, and to provide basic data for the health promotion of middle-aged women. Methods: A sample of 231 middle-aged women was recruited from four cities in Korea. The survey was conducted with participants using self-reported questionnaire from July 9 to November 11, 2011. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Correlation Analysis. Results: There were differences of marital intimacy scores that were statistically significant in educational background (F=6.88, p=.001), religion (t=3.96, p<.001), own job (F=4.47, p=.012), own salary (F=3.01, p=.019), spouse's salary (F=6.72, p<.001), ownership of residence (t=4.00, p<.001), leisure with spouse (t=-5.05, p<.001), current treatment of disease (t=2.22, p=.027), and current disease (t=2.53, p=.012). Marital intimacy was correlated with depression (r=-0.61, p<.01) and menopausal symptoms (r=-0.39, p<.01). Conclusion: Marital intimacy in middle-aged women is closely related to both depression and menopausal symptoms. The nursing program that improves marital intimacy will be useful to promote the health of middle-aged women.

A Study on Body Image, Sexual Quality of Life, Depression, and Quality of Life in Middle-aged Adults

“…In terms of depression, middle-aged women's depression in Q12 our study was similar to that of Kim and Kim's study [43]; which showed significant differences statistically, according to age, education level, religion, monthly income, duration of marriage, and presence of disease. This study's findings were similar to findings from previous studies [39,44e46].…”

Relationships between menopausal syndrome and sleeping of middle-aged women

“…These corresponded with the results of the study of Yeun et al 20 ) , in which the subjects with more severe menopausal symptoms showed lower sexual life satisfaction. A satisfactory sexual life is a mean of physical relief, which enhances the affinity of the couple through communication that can solve conflicts and eventually improve their quality of life 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) . Thus, information on how to have a satisfactory sexual life and educationally supportive environments are required to improve menopausal symptoms.…”

The Perceived Marital Intimacy of Spouses Directly Influences the Rehabilitation Motivation of Hospitalized Stroke Survivors

“…This result is consistent with the findings of another study that was conducted among middle-aged women with post-stroke hemiplegia. Specifically, higher levels of spousal depressive symptoms were associated with lower levels of spousal marital intimacy (Kim & Kim, 2013). This trend is also consistent with the findings of another study that higher levels of intimacy are significantly associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms and better quality of life among the spouses of cancer patients (Moreira & Canavarro, 2013).…”

“…The negative relationship that emerged between depressive symptoms and marital intimacy among both stroke survivors and their spouses supports the results of studies that have been conducted on medical conditions other than stroke. For instance, patients who are dissatisfied with the quality of their marital relationship experience severe postpartum depressive symptoms (Małus et al, 2016), and middle-aged women’s depressive symptoms are significantly related to their marital intimacy (Kim & Kim, 2013). Therefore, in order to maximize the effects of patient participation in rehabilitation during the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to pay attention to the depressive symptoms of the spouses.…”