Effects of the Climacteric Symptoms, Social Support and Couple Intimacy on the Health-related Quality of Life of Married Middle-aged Women Lee Hyea-Kyung1,*, Kim Hee-Kyung2 1Professor, Department of Nursing, Jungwon University, Goesaneup, South Korea 2Professor, Department of Nursing, Kongju National University, Gongju, South Korea *Corresponding Author: Hee Kyung Kim Professor, Department of Nursing, Kongju National University, Gongju, South Korea Email: hkkim@kongju.ac.kr
Online published on 26 September, 2019. Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect that climacteric symptoms, social support and couple intimacy of married middle-aged women have on the quality of their health life. Method The subjects of this study were 131 married middle-aged women aged between 40 and 65. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression using the SPSS 22.0 program. Results The climacteric symptoms of subjects had a negative correlation (r=-.31, p<.001), while social support had a positive correlation (r=.38, p<.001). Couple intimacy had a positive correlation (r=.35, p<.001). The social support of married middle-aged women (β=.251, p=.005), climacteric symptoms (β=.215, p=.009), and satisfaction with married life (β=-.193, p=.035) were found to be significant variables affecting health related quality of life. The explanatory power was 13.6% for social support, 5.6% for climacteric symptoms, 2.2% for satisfaction with married life and 21.4% for these factors altogether in explaining health-related quality of life. Conclusion The researchers hope that through the development of various nursing intervention programs and application of such programs to improve couple intimacy and satisfaction with married life, health related quality of life for married middle-aged women will improve. Top Keywords Married middle-aged women, Climacteric symptoms, Social support, Couple intimacy, Healthrelated quality of life. Top |