Menopausal Status, Depression, and Life-Satisfaction among some Organizational Women

Abstract

The study examined menopausal status, timing of menopause and their influence on experience of depression and life satisfaction among 188 working women. The participants were drawn from organizations in Lagos and Ibadan. Results of the study revealed that (I) currently menopausal women experienced a significantly higher level of depression and a lower level of life satisfaction than non-menopausal and post menopausal women. (ii) women who experienced late menopause were more depressed and less satisfied with life than women who experienced menopause on-time. (iii) there was a significant negative relationship between depression and life satisfaction among menopausal women.
Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that menopause, irrespective of the caliber of women experiencing it, is accompanied with varying degrees of depression and lowered life satisfaction. This is because menopause itself imposes various uncomfortable symptoms on the women. It is recommended that menopausal women should see menopause, as a normal phase of life and programmes should be designed to enlighten women about the menopause experience.


IFE PsychologIA Vol 9, No 2 September 2001, pp. 18-26