Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was designed to identify the relationship between self reported climacteric symptoms, self concept and depression in middle aged women.
METHOD
Data were collected through self- reported questionaires which were constructed to include a climacteric symptoms, self-concept and depression of middle-aged women scale. The subjects for this study were 102 women between 40-59 years of age living in P city. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient.
RESULTS
The results obtained from this study were as follows: 1)The relationship between self reported climacteric symptoms and self concept was statistically significant with a negative correlation (r=-0.4862, P0.001). The relationship between self reported climacteric symptoms and depression had a statistically significant positive correlation (r=0.5393, P<0.001). The Relationship between self- concept and depression had a statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.3769, P<0.001). 2) General characteristic variables significantly related to self reported climacteric symptoms were age (F=3.13, P<0.05) and frequency of pregnancy (F=3.24, P<0.05). General characteristic variables significantly related to frequency of self-concept were age (F=3.13, P<0.05), education level (F=2.97, P<0.05) and occupation (t=1.84, P<0.05). General characteristic variables significantly related to depression were age (F=3.12, P<0.05) and number of children (t=3.59, P<0.05). 3)The obstetrical characteristic variable significantly related to self-reported climacteric symptoms was the frequency of pregnancy (t=3.24, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
This study shows possible implications for nursing intervention for middle-aged women's health to prevent and relieve climacteric symptoms.

• Keywords: Midddle-aged women; Self-concept; Self reported climacteric symptoms; depression