Examination of depression in women in the context of gender perceptions and life purposes

This study was conducted with the aim of "Investigating depression in women in the context of gender perceptions and life goals". This research is of descriptive type and was conducted between April 2024 and October 2024. The universe of the study consists of women registered in a family health center. The sample of the study consists of 211 women who agreed to participate in the research without any selection and met the inclusion criteria. The data of the study were obtained using the Personal Information Form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Meaning and Purpose in Life Scale (MPLS), Gender Perception Scale (GPS). The participants' total BDI Scale mean score was 13.26± 8.575, the total GPS scale mean score was 95.78±15.53, and the total MPLS score mean was 63.42±12.10. A negatively significant relationship was found between GPS scores and BDI scores (p<0.05). In the regression analysis, it was concluded that women's gender perceptions had an effect on their depression levels. A negative significant relationship was found between BDI and MPLS mean scores (p<0.05). According to the regression results, it was seen that women's meaning and purpose in life had an effect on their depression levels. These findings reveal that women's gender perceptions and the meaning and purpose in life had an effect on depression. It is recommended that nurses plan and implement psychosocial interventions that will strengthen women's gender perceptions in the fight against depression and help them discover the meaning of life.