Determinants of body image in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT Body image plays an important role in women’s well-being. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of selected variables (menopausal symptoms, depressive symptoms, sexual dysfunctions, health behaviours) on body image among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Six hundred eighty-eight women aged 45–65 served as participants. The Kupperman Index, Beck Depression Inventory, Female Sexual Function Index, Body Esteem Scale, and a questionnaire that we created (sociodemographic factors and health status) were used. Structural equation modelling with the maximum likelihood method was used to test a model examining the relations among variables. The resulting model was satisfactory in fit (p = 0.610). The model predicted a significant percentage of the variance in all components of body esteem, including 30.9% of the variation in physical condition, 23.9% of weight control, and 37.6% of sexual attractiveness. Results of the direct effects analysis indicated a significant role for sexual dysfunction (p < 0.001) and intensity of depressive (p < 0.001) and menopausal (p = 0.001) symptoms in predicting overall body self-esteem. Additionally, health-related behaviours affected both weight control (p < 0.001) and sexual attractiveness (p < 0.001).