ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OPTIMISM, PESSIMISM, AND TIME SINCE MENOPAUSE

Abstract

Menopause represents a significant biological, psychological, and social transition in a woman’s life, characterized by hormonal fluctuations, emotional variability, and changes in social roles. Although physical manifestations, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and alterations in sexual function, are often most prominent, psychological factors—particularly optimism and pessimism—play a crucial role in the subjective experience of menopause. Hormonal fluctuations, including reductions in estrogen and progesterone, influence mood-related neurotransmitter systems, whereas psychological capital—including resilience, self-compassion, and self-esteem—modulates emotional adaptation and the perception of well-being. Cognitive-emotional styles, encompassing optimism and pessimism, may significantly mediate the relationship between biological changes and emotional experience during menopause, thereby shaping coping strategies for this life stage.
Research Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between optimism and pessimism levels and the duration since the last menstrual period in women undergoing menopause. Special attention was given to changes in psychological functioning across different stages of the menopausal transition, with emphasis on individual differences in cognitive-emotional styles.
Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 395 women aged 40 to ≥65 years, conducted from January to August 2025 at the Department of Gynecology, Health Center Cazin, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Optimism and pessimism were assessed using the Optimism–Pessimism Scale (Chang et al., 1994, 1997; adaptation: Penezić, 1999), comprising 14 items rated on a five-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate greater optimism or pessimism. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess group differences according to the time elapsed since the last menstrual period (1–5 years, 6–10 years, >10 years).
Results and Discussion: The mean age of participants was 51.82 ± 6.89 years. Descriptive analysis revealed a trend toward decreasing mean optimism scores (23.95 → 23.23) and a slight increase in mean pessimism scores (24.39 → 25.00) with longer postmenopausal duration. ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences among groups for optimism (F(2, 392) = 1.33; p = .266) or pessimism (F(2, 392) = 0.32; p = .728). Graphical representation illustrated a trend of decreasing optimism and increasing pessimism with increasing years since the last menstrual period, despite the absence of statistical significance. These trends may reflect hormonal changes, subjective aging, decreased physical health, and variations in social engagement. The findings highlight the importance of psychological capital, individual emotional resilience, and coping strategies.
Conclusions: The study indicates modest changes in optimism and pessimism across postmenopausal stages, without reaching statistical significance. Menopause constitutes a period of emotional and cognitive adaptation, during which psychological resources—particularly optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy—contribute to the maintenance of emotional well-being in women.
Recommendations: Multidisciplinary support programs focusing on psychological education and the enhancement of emotional resilience are recommended. Furthermore, longitudinal studies are warranted to better elucidate long-term changes in postmenopausal women’s psychological functioning.