A Comparison of the Quality of life and Personal Traits in Menopausal Women

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study was planned to compare the quality of life and personal traits in menopausal women. METHODS: The population of the study comprised women who applied to Family Health Centers (FHC) in the city center of Bingol (n=157). A survey form, which was prepared by the researcher as a result of evaluating the relevant literature and comprised three sections, was applied to the women who met the inclusion criteria. The first section of the survey consisted of a questionnaire questioning the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, obstetrical, gynecological, chronic disease history, information about the menopausal period and general health behaviors. The second section consisted of the 'Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQLQ)' and the third section consisted of the Cervantes Personality Scale (CPS). RESULTS: There was a positive significant correlation between the scores, obtained by the women who participated in the study, from the CPS emotional stability/neuroticism subscale and the MSQLQ scores, whereas there was a negative significant correlation between their sincerity/insincerity scores and MSQLQ scores. There was no statistically significant correlation between the extroversion/introversion subscale and MSQLQ symptoms (p<0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was determined that the women had no adequate knowledge of this period which comprises nearly one third of their life, there were deficiencies in coping with menopausal symptoms and the quality of life of the women in the menopausal period was not at the required level. In the personality development phases, women should be encouraged for positive, emotionally stable and extrovert personality development and to use of healthy defense mechanisms.

Keywords

• menopause
• personality inventory
• quality of life.