مجلة ريحان للنشر العلمي مجلة علمية، محكمة، شهرية، مفتوحة الوصول
This study investigates the psychological impact of menopause on childless women in Lebanon, examining the complex interplay between biological transition and sociocultural context. Within a society that highly values motherhood as a fundamental element of female identity, the research explored how the permanent cessation of fertility during menopause affects women’s mental health across three key dimensions: anxiety levels, self-esteem, and body image. The study employed a stratified randomization method to analyze a sample of 260 Lebanese women aged 48-65 years, equally distributed between Muslim and Christian faiths, from diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds across three regions (North, Beirut, and South).
Results revealed significant associations between childlessness and psychological well-being (p<0.001), with childless women showing markedly higher rates of anxiety (91.7%) compared to mothers (34.3%). Marital status emerged as a significant factor (p=0.049), with separated/divorced/widowed women demonstrating unexpectedly high self-esteem (91.3%) compared to married women (76%). Regional variations approached significance (p=0.059) in anxiety levels, with the South showing notably higher rates (78.8%) compared to Beirut and the North (approximately 64% each). Religious differences were also observed, with Muslim women reporting lower self-esteem compared to their Christian counterparts.
The findings highlight the complex psychological dynamics experienced by postmenopausal childless women in Lebanon, suggesting the need for targeted, culturally-sensitive interventions that address both anxiety management and self-esteem maintenance. The study contributes to understanding how sociocultural contexts shape women’s experiences of menopause and childlessness, particularly in societies where motherhood is deeply integrated into female identity. These insights have important implications for healthcare providers and mental health professionals working with menopausal women in culturally traditional contexts.
Keywords: Menopause, Childlessness, Anxiety, Self-esteem, Lebanese women, Cultural context, psychological well-being
| Dr. Fouad Ziade | Sahar Kaak |
| University saint joseph de Beyrouth. Faculté des lettres et des sciences humaines | PhD student Beirut – Lebanon, |
| fouadziade@hotmail.com, | ORCID : 0009-0004-5041-5949 ramoseh@hotmail.com |
| Pr. Chantal Mansour | |
| University saint joseph de Beyrouth. Faculté des lettres et des sciences humaines | |
| chantal.mansour@usj.edu.lb. | |
