Examination of the levels of self- esteem and depression among women during menopause and premenopause

This study's aim is to reveal the relationship between women's self-esteem and depression levels, who go through menopause and who do not. Besides, the effects of variables such as women's marital status, ages, income levels and the condition of a chronic disease on self-esteem and depression are examined. Women who live in Istanbul, Besiktas are participated to the research with random and voluntary basis. To evaluate women's self-esteem levels, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and to evaluate their depression levels, Beck Depression Scale are applied by the researcher. Also, according to identify socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, a Personal Information Form prepared by the researcher is used. Mann Whitney- U, and Kruskal Wallis and Spearman Correlation Tests are used in the analysis of data. With the research results, it is found out that women who go through menopause have significantly higher levels of depression than women who do not go through the same period. As women's age increase (who go through menopause), their levels of depression increase too. Women who do not go through menopause and do not work have higher depression levels than women who do not go through the same period but work. Primary school graduate women who go through menopause have higher levels of depression than secondary school and above graduates who go through menopause. Results of the research have discussed in the light of current literature.