A Study on the Relationship of Marital Intimacy, Depression, and Menopausal Symptoms in Middle-aged Women.

PURPOSE

This study aims to identify the relationship between marital intimacy, depression, and menopausal symptoms, and to provide basic data for the health promotion of middle-aged women.

METHODS

A sample of 231 middle-aged women was recruited from four cities in Korea. The survey was conducted with participants using self-reported questionnaire from July 9 to November 11, 2011. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Correlation Analysis.

RESULTS

There were differences of marital intimacy scores that were statistically significant in educational background (F=6.88, p=.001), religion (t=3.96, p<.001), own job (F=4.47, p=.012), own salary (F=3.01, p=.019), spouse's salary (F=6.72, p<.001), ownership of residence (t=4.00, p<.001), leisure with spouse (t=-5.05, p<.001), current treatment of disease (t=2.22, p=.027), and current disease (t=2.53, p=.012). Marital intimacy was correlated with depression (r=-0.61, p<.01) and menopausal symptoms (r=-0.39, p<.01).

CONCLUSION

Marital intimacy in middle-aged women is closely related to both depression and menopausal symptoms. The nursing program that improves marital intimacy will be useful to promote the health of middle-aged women.