Predictors of stress and depressive mood in Portuguese middle-aged women

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigates the predictors of psychological symptoms-stress and depressive mood-in a sample of middle-aged women. A community sample of 1,003 women filled in the questionnaires and instruments, which included the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales and the Life Events Survey; sociodemographic, health, and menopause-related and lifestyle information was also collected. Structural equation modeling was used to build the model that had stress and depressive mood as dependent variables. Health status (both physical and psychological), recent life events, income and menopausal phase were significantly associated with the frequency of stress and depressive symptoms. Additionally, educational level and parity were also significant predictors of depressive mood. This study emphasizes that psychological symptoms occurrence in midlife depends not only on personal variables (such as health and menopausal status) but also on contextual ones (including recent stressful events) that can be a strong influence on how middle-aged women feel.

The relationship between psychological distress and the health-related quality of life of middle-aged Korean females: A serial mediation model

“…This difference in depression indicates that depression among middle-aged females is a social problem [41]. This depression in middle-aged females can lead to emotional eating behaviors [42].…”

Stress, depression, and anxiety: psychological complaints across menopausal stages

“…Cross-sectional studies generally reported mixed results in differences in symptoms of depression across menopausal stages (with 2 studies finding no difference by stage, one finding higher depression in peri compared to post, and one study finding highest rates in the postmenopausal stage). These studies compared different cohorts of women ( 25 , 26 , 52 , 54 ) and differences in life histories and/or demographics in these cohorts could again be partly responsible for these findings.…”

“…The STRAW criteria, which were used to classify menopausal transition stages, were used in other recent studies finding similar effects ( 30 , 52 , 53 ). Mixed findings are thus mainly hypothesised be ascribed to the heterogeneity of the assessment of depression across studies and perhaps comparing different cohorts in cross-sectional studies ( 23 ).…”

Menopause and mental health

“…High prevalence of depressive symptoms in menopause transitionbut no difference between three stages in menopause transition Almeida, 2016; 18 Anniverno, 2017; 19 Bosworth, 2001; 20 Zang, 2016 21 High prevalence of depressive symptoms in peri and postmenopause Bromberger, 2007; 22 Campbell, 2017; 23 Goncalves, 2013; 24 Jafari, 2014; 25 Joffee, 2002; 26 Juang, 2005; 27 Lin, 2013; 28 Marteens, 2002; 9 Pimenta, 2016; 30 Tangen & Mykletun, 2008; 31 Terauchi, 2013; 32 Yen, 2009; 33 Zainal, 2008;34 Peak prevalence during the perimenopause Campbell, 2017; 23 Goncalves, 2013; 24 Joffee, 2002; 26 Lin, 2013; 28 Tangen and Mykletun, 2008; 31 Yen, 2009; 33 Zainal, 2008 34 Association between climacteric symptoms and depression Bosworth, 2001; 20 Chedraui, 2009; 35 Gibbs, 2013; 36 Hu, 2016; 37 Juang, 2005; 27 Kumari, 2005; 38 Reed, 2009; 39 Strauss, 2011; 40 Terauchi, 2013; 32 Wang, 2013; 41 Zang, 2016 21 Association between sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms Terauchi, 2013; 32 Zang, 2016 21 Positive correlation between depression and frequency of vasomotor and somatic symptoms…”