Relationship Between Menopausal Symptoms, Stress Coping Styles, and Quality of Life in Turkish Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: This study aimed to examine the relationship between menopausal symptoms, stress coping styles, and quality of life in Turkish women.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted online with 699 women aged 45-59 years. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Coping Style Scale (CSS), and the Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and linear regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 50.31 ± 4.22 years, and the mean age at menopause was 48.15 ± 2.76 years. Of the participants, 61.2% were menopausal. The mean MRS score was 15.50 ± 8.10. The most frequently reported symptoms were nervousness (87.1%), physical and mental fatigue (86.6%), and joint and muscle disorders (85.0%). Weak to moderate positive correlations were found between total and subscale MRS scores and MENQOL subscales (r = 0.379-0.680). Increased severity of menopausal symptoms was significantly associated with decreased menopause-related quality of life (B = 0.113, p < 0.001). Self-confident and optimistic coping styles were negatively associated with psychological symptoms, whereas helpless/self-blaming and submissive coping styles showed weak positive associations with all menopausal symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Menopausal symptoms negatively affect women's quality of life. Stress coping styles are associated with the severity and perception of these symptoms. Helpless/self-blaming and submissive coping styles may exacerbate menopausal symptoms, while self-confident and optimistic coping styles may reduce psychological complaints. Interventions aimed at improving stress coping skills may contribute to better quality of life among menopausal women.