Investigation of the effect of self-esteem and body image on sexual satisfaction in menopausal women

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of self-esteem and body image on sexual satisfaction in menopausal women and to compare them with the non-menopausal control group. For this purpose, the relationship between socio-demographic variables and self-esteem, body image and sexual satisfaction, and whether there is a difference between the groups formed in the context of socio-demographic variables in terms of dependent variable levels were examined. In addition, it was investigated whether self-esteem and body image predict sexual satisfaction in menopausal women. Method: The method of the research was determined as a questionnaire. The body image levels of the participant group were determined by the 'Body Perception Scale', their self-esteem levels were determined by the 'Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale', and their sexual satisfaction levels were determined by the 'Golombok-Rust Sexual Satisfaction Scale'. The sample of the study consists of a total of 200 women, 100 women who have entered menopause and 100 women who have not. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 22 computer based statistical program. Results: In our study, it was found that there is a moderate linear relationship between self-esteem and body image in menopausal and non-menopausal women. In addition, it was determined that there was a low linear relationship between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction in both groups, and a moderate linear relationship between body image and sexual satisfaction. It has been determined that there is a significant relationship between self-esteem, body image and sexual satisfaction in menopausal and non-menopausal women, and these three variables affect each other.