Psychiatric Morbidity and Associated Psychosocial Factors in Post Menopausal Women

Background: Natural menopause marks the irreversible end of menstruation and signals the conclusion of a woman’s reproductive years, often accompanied by various psychological and somatic symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and explore its association with psychosocial factors among postmenopausal women. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and explore its association with psychosocial factors among postmenopausal women. Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical, descriptive study was conducted at the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physical Medicine, and Psychiatry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, during 2009–2010. A total of 165 postmenopausal women were selected by purposive sampling. After obtaining informed consent, socio-demographic and psychosocial data were collected through interviews. Psychiatric diagnoses were made using the SCID-CV and DSM-IV-TR criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Among 165 postmenopausal women, 48 (29.1%) had psychiatric disorders, mainly depression (47.9%). Psychiatric morbidity was significantly linked to lower education (p=0.001), being a housewife (p=0.000), poor family support (e.g., inability to share problems: 52.1% vs. 12.0%, p=0.000), dissatisfaction with family environment (64.6% vs. 17.1%, p=0.000), loneliness (93.8% vs. 65.8%, p=0.000), and feeling like a burden (72.9% vs. 17.9%, p=0.000). Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity among postmenopausal women was notably associated with poor emotional support, negative self-perception, and lower educational and occupational status. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/jchr.v15.4.9296