Effect of women's menopausal complaints and social appearance anxiety on their level of depression, stress, and anxiety: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Menopause is a significant time in the life of women, and they may experience social appearance anxiety in addition to their menopausal complaints during this period. This study aimed to determine the effect of women's menopausal complaints and social appearance anxieties on their level of depression, stress, and anxiety. The sample of this cross-sectional study included women (n = 305) who applied to the gynecology polyclinic, were between 40 and 65 years old, and had not been menstruating at least for a year. Study data were collected using the following tools: the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). One unit of increase in the women's total MRS and SAAS scale scores caused 0.597 points of increase in the depression subscale of the DASS-21 scale (R2 = 0.135, F (3;304) = 150.962; P < 0.001). As the menopausal complaints and social appearance concerns of women increase during menopause, their stress, anxiety, and depression levels also increase. [Psychiatr Ann. 2023;53(7):325-332.]