AGE DIFFERENCES IN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL STATES IN WOMEN IN PRIMARY GYNECOLOGICAL HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Menopause represents a complex biological and psychosocial transition characterized by hormonal changes, neurobiological adaptations, and shifts in life circumstances. Numerous studies indicate increased emotional and psychological vulnerability during perimenopause, with a rise in anxiety and depressive symptoms in a subset of women. Understanding patterns of emotional responses across different age stages is crucial for the timely identification of women at increased risk and for optimal planning of preventive and therapeutic menopausal care.
Research Objectives: To examine differences in the expression of seven emotional states (happiness, relaxation, pride, anger, unhappiness, humiliation, and fear/anxiety) among different age groups of women undergoing the menopausal transition and postmenopause.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 395 participants, divided into six age categories, at the Department of Gynecology of the Cazin Health Center between July and December 2025. Emotional states were assessed using the Current Emotional State Scale (47 items, 7 subscales; Likert scale 1–5; Cronbach’s α ≈ 0.92). Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were applied with a significance level of p < 0.05, while post hoc differences were analyzed using Scheffé’s test.
Results and Discussion: Positive emotions (happiness, relaxation, and pride) declined in middle adulthood, with partial recovery after the age of 60, with the lowest values observed in the 50–54 age group. Negative emotions (unhappiness, humiliation, and fear) peaked in the same age group, identifying perimenopause as the period of greatest emotional vulnerability. Statistically significant age differences were found for pride (p = 0.018), humiliation (p = 0.045), and fear (p = 0.004), while a trend toward significance was observed for happiness, relaxation, and unhappiness (0.05 < p < 0.06). Anger showed no significant age-related differences (p = 0.690). Post hoc analysis confirmed significantly higher levels of fear in women aged 50–54 years compared with those aged 60–64 years (p = 0.019).
Conclusions: The perimenopausal age period (50–54 years) is characterized by a marked increase in negative and a decrease in positive emotional states, indicating heightened emotional vulnerability among women during this stage. Timely identification of risk-related emotional patterns and individualized care approaches are essential for preserving mental health and quality of life. The findings highlight the need to integrate systematic psychological assessment into routine gynecological practice.
Recommendations: Systematic screening for emotional and mental health difficulties is recommended for women in perimenopausal and postmenopausal stages, particularly in the 50–54 age group. Education on emotional changes during the menopausal transition and strengthening social support should be integral components of preventive care. Individualized therapeutic approaches, including psychological counseling and, when indicated, hormone therapy, should be integrated into routine menopausal care.