Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Attitudes Towards Menopause among Women and Affecting Factors

Year 2018, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 7 - 18, 30.08.2018

Nülüfer Erbil , Mehtap Gümüşay

https://doi.org/10.19127/mbsjohs.417940

Cited By: 9

Abstract

Objective: The aim of
the study was to investigate affecting factors on perceived social support and
attitudes towards menopause and the relationship between perceived social
support and attitudes towards menopause of Turkish women.

Methods: The study was planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional
design. The data were collected with questionnaire form, Multidimensional Scale
of Perceived Social Support and Attitudes towards Menopause Scale.

Results: A majority of women (66.7%) had a negative attitude
towards menopause. Strong perceived social support positively affects women’s
attitudes towards menopause. Woman who have higher education level, being age
50 and under, working, being single, having normal BMI, and being in a nuclear
family had more positive attitude towards menopause. Other factors were a
husband who is a civil servant and with higher education, having a higher income
perception and positive health perception, living in a province, physical
exercise, being premenopausal, being informed about menopause. The perceived
social support scale scores were higher than for other women in the following
categories:  age 50 and under, higher
education level, working, higher income perception, single, living in a
province, physical exercise, and positive health perception.

Conclusion: In
conclusion, the majority of women had negative attitudes toward menopause and
perceived social support during menopause was at low levels. The perceived
social support and attitude towards menopause correlated. Informational programs need to be focused on
developing positive attitudes in both women and men to help couples and strengthening
women’s social support and preparation during menopause.

Keywords

Menopause attitude, perceived social support, menopause, affecting factors

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