Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-aged Women in Korea by Menopause

This study aimed to explore factors related to depressive symptoms among pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. We analyzed data from community-dwelling middle-aged women in South Korea participated in the 2014 and 2016 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey. We evaluated data from 2,395 women between 40 and 60 years of age. Data were analyzed by complex samples analysis with SPSS 25.0 program. In both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal groups, stress, activity limitations, and lower educational status were equally significantly related to risk of depressive symptoms. Increased risk of depressive symptoms in pre-menopausal women was related to being unpartnered and underweight and the existence of metabolic syndrome. Increased risk of depressive symptoms in post-menopausal women was related to lower age, lower economic status, and being a smoker. These findings can be useful for health care providers to screen and plan interventions for middle-aged women with depressive symptoms.