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Navigating Change : A Qualitative Study of Women’s Coping Strategies During the Menopausal Transition
Riedel, Kristin Annett (2025) Navigating Change : A Qualitative Study of Women’s Coping Strategies During the Menopausal Transition.
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| Abstract: | The menopausal transition is accompanied by a variety of physical and psychological challenges for women, including symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Other factors coinciding with this life phase, like the loss of parents or children leaving home, add further stress to the situation. Despite the evident need for effective coping strategies to manage these stressors, the ways in which women navigate perimenopause remain underexplored in research. This study investigates how women manage the menopausal transition and cope with the demands of this phase of life. For this purpose, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with women living in Germany. Data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis, identifying five themes: Symptom Management, Lifestyle, Support, Stress Management, and Emotional Coping. Two main findings emerged. First, participants mostly used problem-focused coping, such as information gathering, adapting their lifestyle, and seeking medical treatments. Emotion-focused coping strategies, such as acceptance and relaxation, were used less frequently. This might be connected to the perceived severity of the symptoms the women experienced. Second, all participants expressed ambivalence toward the use of hormone therapy. All eight women voiced similar concerns regarding a heightened risk for cancer and potentially harmful side effects. Most of these concerns were based on outdated information that has since been partially revised. The findings emphasize potential benefits for women using a more balanced approach to coping during perimenopause, including problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies. Furthermore, there is an apparent need for healthcare professionals to provide accessible and up-to-date information on menopausal treatment options, supporting women in making informed decisions. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/107176 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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