Is body image a predictor of women\u2019s depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women?

Masoumeh Simbar,Fatemeh Alsadat Rahnemaei,Zahra Jafari Torkamani,Hamid Alavi Majd,Soheila Nazarpour,Khadijeh Dodel Andarvar

doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02617-w

Abstract

BackgroundWomen in perimenopausal and postmenopausal period are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Physiologic changes in menopause can change body’s appearance and function that may disturb body and then lead to anxiety and depression. This study aims to assess the relationship between body image with anxiety and depression among postmenopausal women.MethodsThis descriptive study was performed on 307 women attending to the health centers in Tehran- Iran. Sampling was performed by a multi-staged randomized method. Data were collected by using Beck Depression questionnaire, Spielberger Anxiety Questionnaire, Fisher Body Image Questionnaire and Socio-demographic questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 and using t-test, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests and multiple linear regression methods.ResultsThe average age of the participants was 55.19 ± 4.034 years. Mean scores for body image, anxiety and depression were 163.26 ± 20.38, 12.00 ± 7.71 and 42.70 ± 8.40 respectively. Fifty five percent of women had mild to severe depression and 83.7% of them had mild to severe anxiety. Total score and all domains of body image had a negative correlation with depression and anxiety scores (P < 0.001). Multiple linear correlation showed that body image is a predictor for depression and anxiety (P < 0.001).ConclusionsBody image of women can be effective on occurrence of depression and anxiety in menopause. Therefore, women’s health policies should consider body image to control cognitive problems including depression and anxiety in menopause.

Highlights

Women in perimenopausal and postmenopausal period are at increased risk of depression and anxiety
Several studies attempted to clarify the role of menopausal status on developing depression and anxiety in midlife period
The results demonstrated a negative correlation between depression and the age of women

Summary

Introduction

Women in perimenopausal and postmenopausal period are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Menopause is defined as the reproductive condition after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea, as a result of the complex hormonal changes that accompany the reduction in ovarian follicles [1, 2]. It is a critical period in women’s life which is associated with significant physical. Several studies attempted to clarify the role of menopausal status on developing depression and anxiety in midlife period. Anxiety has been less studied, in spite of its abundance incidence in midlife women and its effects on women’s function [9]

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