A Comparison of Self-esteem, Body Image, and Depression in Hysterectomized and Non-hysterectomized Iranian Women: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Hysterectomy is one of the factors that may affect women's body image and self-esteem and lead to serious psychological complications. Hysterectomy is one of the factors that may affect women's body image and self-esteem and lead to serious psychological complications. The study aimed to compare self-esteem, body image, and depression in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized Iranian women. In this cross-sectional comparative study, 140 women of the reproductive age, who have undergone hysterectomy with benign causes, were compared in terms of self-esteem, body image, and depression with 140 women receiving medical treatment due to abnormal bleeding in educational and medical centers in Tabriz, Iran. Sampling was conducted by convenience method. Self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire, body image was assessed with the multi-dimensional body-self relations questionnaire, and depression was assessed with the Beck II depression inventory. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and general linear model. The mean (standard deviation) of the body image in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women was 235.3 (28.5) and 250.1 (23.4) out of an achievable score of 69-395, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) self-esteem score for hysterectomized women was 20.4 (4.8) and it was 24.2 (3.4) in non-hysterectomized women (out of an achievable score of 0-30). The mean (standard deviation) depression score was 18.1 (9.7) and 5.5 (4.6) out of 0-63 in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women, respectively. The differences in self-esteem, body image, and depression variables were statistically significant in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women, respectively (P<0.001). According to the results of the present study, the body image and self-esteem in hysterectomized women were low compared to non-hysterectomized women, while the level of depression was high, and this difference was statistically significant. Due to the lower self-esteem and body image, and higher depression rates in hysterectomized women, designing intervention programs by healthcare providers to promote the mental health of this group of women in the society seems necessary. --