The relationship between spousal support, menopausal symptoms, and sexual attitudes in menopausal women: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to examine the relationship between spousal support received by women during menopause on menopausal symptoms and sexual attitudes. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with 490 women in the menopausal period between May 10, 2025, and January 10, 2026, at the & Scedil;ehit Furkan Y & imath;lmaz Healthy Life Center and Karak & ouml;y Healthy Life Center, affiliated with the Bart & imath;n Central Community Health Center. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Menopausal Spousal Support Scale (MSSS), the Hendrick Sexual Attitude Scale-Short Form (HSAS-SF), and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Results The mean total scores of the participants were 54.87 +/- 26.94 for the MSSS, 57.07 +/- 9.18 for the HSAS-SF, and 20.81 +/- 9.12 for the MRS. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the total MSSS score and the total HSAS-SF score (r = .117, p = .010) and the total MRS score (r = .122, p = .007). According to the regression model, HSAS-SF (beta= 0.293, t = 2.200, p = .031) and MRS (beta = -0.314, t=- 2.347, p = .021) were significantly associated with predictors of menopausal spousal support. The regression model explained 2.5% of the total variance in menopausal spousal support (R-2 = 0.025). Conclusion Women in the menopausal period participating in the study had low levels of menopausal spousal support and sexual attitudes, and high levels of menopausal symptoms. Higher levels of menopausal spousal support were associated with more positive sexual attitudes and lower menopausal symptom severity. It is recommended that women's health and gynecology nurses actively assess menopausal spousal support, sexual attitudes, and menopausal symptoms among menopausal women and take an active role in awareness seminars and educational programs. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation of the findings.