중년여성의 스트레스와 갱년기 증상과의 관계

The Relationship between the Stress and Climacteric symptoms of Middle-Aged Women

This study of purpose was to define the relationship between the stress and climacteric symptoms of middle-aged women in order to provide basic data for the development of women's health care program as nursing intervention. The research tools used were a Soon-Young Park's stress questionnaire (4 points scale) and a self diagnostic MENSI scale (3 points scale) developed by a research team of Ill-Yang Pharmacy Co. This research was conducted in Korea in Muan-Gun. Chonnam province, from 22th November to 20th December 1999. The research used a survey design. Seven hundred eleven healthy middle-aged women, aged 40 to 64, and were a convenience sample by stratified ratio using the matching fixed residential and aging blocks. The data were analyzed by GLM. Pearson correlation coefficient and Scheffe test using SAS/ PC+. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The percentage of psychological stress with the following items was: fatigue and enervation, 70.0%; nervous, 61.8%; weakness, 58.5%; The percentage of physical stress with the following items were ; fatigue of eye. 82.3%; backache, 78.0%; headache, 73.8%. 2. The level of psychological stress was 40% of below average level (0-5 points), 31.7 of average level (6-12points), 20.8% of precaution level (13-19 points), and 7.5% of warning level (over 20points). The level of physical stress were 20.1% of below average level (0-5 points), 34.8 of average level (6-12 points), 29.4 of precaution level (13-19 points), and 15.7% of warning level (over 20 points). There were higher physical stress level than psychological stress level of the subjects. 3. The percentage of climacteric symptoms with the following items were : numbness, 75.3%; forgetfulness, 71.0%; pain of joints, 71.0%. The level of climacteric symptoms were 61.8% of mild level 1(10-15 points), 33.0% of moderate level (16-30 points), 5.2% of severe level (over 31 points). 4. There were high positive correlations significantly between the climacteric symptoms and the psychological stress (r=.564. P<0.000), and between the climacteric symptoms and the physical stress of the subjects(r=.678, P<0.000). 5. There were significant differences in the climacteric symptoms of the subjects among below average level, average level, precaution level, and warning level of the psychological stress (F=74.108. P<0.000. Scheffe test). 6. There were significant differences in the climacteric symptoms of the subjects among below average level, average level and precaution level, and warning level of the physical stress ((F=128.181, P<0.000, Scheffe test). In summary, climacteric symptoms complained by middle-aged women are high positive correlated to the level of the stress. Also climacteric symptoms were affected by stress.