Investigating the Relationship between Menopause Specific Quality of Life and Perceived Social Support among Postmenopausal Women in Iran

Exp Aging Res. 2020 Jul-Sep;46(4):359-366. doi: 10.1080/0361073X.2020.1776020. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between Menopause Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL), Perceived Social Support (PSS) and factors associated with MENQOL among a group of Iranian Postmenopausal women in 2018.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study 410 of Postmenopausal Iranian women in Neyshabur are examined. QOL was assessed using MENQOL questionnaire, and social support was assessed through administration of a modified Sarason's Social Support Questionnaire. The data were analyzed through conduction of a Pearson correlation coefficient and Linear regression analysis using SPSS software package 20.

Results: It was found that the average age of PMW was 53.92 ± 3.86 years. The total scores of the QOL ranged from 10 to 30, with a mean of 37.83 (SD = 12.9). Mean scores of Sexual, psychological, physical, and Vasomotor domain of QOL were 12.55 ± 6.96, 14.66 ± 2.20, 18.11 ± 1.85, 12.02 ± 4.93. Perceived social support was positively correlated with the overall QOL (r = 0.68; P ≤ 0.001). Moreover, perceived social support was associated with Vasomotor (r = .55, p ≤ .001), Psychosocial (r = .65, p ≤.001), Physical (r = .59, p ≤ .001), Sexual (r = .48, p ≤ .001) subscales of QOL.

Conclusions: The results of the current study showed a significant relationship between perceived social support and QOL in PMW. Further research is suggested to investigate other variables among PMW in Iran.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception
  • Postmenopause / psychology*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Social Support*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires