Conformity to Female Gender Norms and Its Influence on Psychological Risk in Spanish Climacteric Women: A Descriptive Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
2.2. Study Setting and Recruitment
2.3. Ethical Aspects
2.4. Data Collection and Instrument
2.4.1. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)
2.4.2. The Conformity to Female Gender Norms Inventory (CFNI-45)
2.5. Data Analysis
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Greer, G. The Change: Women, Ageing and the Menopause, 1st ed.; Bloomsbury Publishing: London, UK, 2019; ISBN 9781408886373. [Google Scholar]
- Bauld, R.; Brown, R.F. Stress, psychological distress, psychosocial factors, menopause symptoms and physical health in women. Maturitas 2009, 62, 160–165. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Süss, H.; Willi, J.; Grub, J.; Ehlert, U. Psychosocial factors promoting resilience during the menopausal transition. Arch. Women’s Ment. Health 2021, 24, 231–241. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dillaway, H. Living in Uncertain Times: Experiences of Menopause and Reproductive Aging. In The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies; Bobel, C., Winkler, I.T., Fahs, B., Hasson, K.A., Kissling, E.A., Roberts, T.-A., Eds.; Palgrave Macmillan: London, UK, 2020; pp. 253–268. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Esteban-Gonzalo, S.; Sik Ying Ho, P.; Aparicio-García, M.E.; Esteban-Gonzalo, L. Understanding the Meaning of Conformity to Feminine Norms in Lifestyle Habits and Health: A Cluster Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 1370. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- del Sánchez-López, M.P.; Cuellar-Flores, I.; Dresch, V. The impact of gender roles on health. Women Health 2012, 52, 182–196. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Carter, M.F.; Franz, T.M.; Gruschow, J.L.; VanRyne, A.M. The gender conformity conundrum: The effects of irrelevant gender norms on public conformity. J. Soc. Psychol. 2019, 159, 761–765. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Hogervorst, E.; Craig, J.; O’Donnell, E. Cognition and mental health in menopause: A review. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Obstet. Gynaecol. 2022, 81, 69–84. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Von Elm, E.; Altman, D.G.; Egger, M.; Pocock, S.J.; Gøtzsche, P.C.; Vandenbroucke, J.P. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement: Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies. Gac. Sanit. 2008, 22, 144–150. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Goldber, G.D.; Willians, P. A User’s Guide to the General Health Questionnaire, NFER-Nelson, 4th ed.; GL Assessment: London, UK, 1988. [Google Scholar]
- del Sánchez-López, M.P.; Dresch, V. The 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12): Reliability, external validity and factor structure in the Spanish population. Psicothema 2008, 20, 839–843. [Google Scholar]
- Mahalik, J.R.; Morray, E.B.; Coonerty-Femiano, A.; Ludlow, L.H.; Slattery, S.M.; Smiler, A. Development of the conformity to feminine norms inventory. Sex Roles 2005, 52, 417–435. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Aparicio-García, M.E.; Alvarado-Izquierdo, J.M. Is there a “Conformity to Feminine Norms” Construct? A Bifactor Analysis of two Short Versions of Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory. Curr. Psychol. 2019, 38, 1110–1120. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Garcíaa-Calvente, M.M.; Mateo-Rodríguez, I.; Maroto-Navarro, G. El impacto de cuidar en la salud y la calidad de vida de las mujeres. Gac Sanit. 2004, 18, 83–92. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gómez-Salgado, J.; Romero-Martín, M.; Ortega-Morente, E. Impacto de los cambios físicos y psicológicos en la percepción de la salud en mujeres en la mediana edad. Rev. Esp. Salud Pública 2020, 94, e202003029. [Google Scholar]
- Palacios, S.; Henderson, V.W.; Siseles, N.; Tan, D.; Villaseca, P. Age of menopause and impact of climacteric symptoms by geographical region. Climacteric J. Int. Menopause Soc. 2010, 13, 419–428. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Freixas, A. Nuestra Menopausia: Una Versión No Oficial; Capitan Swing S.L.: Madrid, Spain, 2024. [Google Scholar]
- Minkin, M.J. Menopause: Hormones, Lifestyle, and Optimizing Aging. Obstet. Gynecol. Clin. N. Am. 2019, 46, 501–514. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Alblooshi, S.; Taylor, M.; Gill, N. Does menopause elevate the risk for developing depression and anxiety? Results from a systematic review. Australas. Psychiatry Bull. R. Aust. N. Z. Coll. Psychiatr. 2023, 31, 165–173. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Faravelli, C.; Scarpato, M.A.; Castellini, G.; Lo Sauro, C. Gender differences in depression and anxiety: The role of age. Psychiatry Res. 2013, 210, 1301–1303. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Conley, T.D.; Moors, A.C.; Matsick, J.L.; Ziegler, A. The fewer the merrier? Assessing stigma surrounding consensually non-monogamous romantic relationships and the associated need for autonomy and communication. J. Soc. Pers. Relatsh. 2019, 36, 1956–1978. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Perel, E. The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity, 1st ed.; Harper: New York, NY, USA, 2017; ISBN 13978-0062322586. [Google Scholar]
- Hinchliff, S.; Gott, M. Sexuality, Aging and the Search for Meaning. Sex. Relatsh. Ther. 2020, 35, 123–136. [Google Scholar]
- Wieczorek, L.L.; Chivers, M.; Koehn, M.A.; DeBruine, L.M.; Jones, B.C. Age Effects on Women’s and Men’s Dyadic and Solitary Sexual Desire. Arch. Sex. Behav. 2022, 51, 3765–3789. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Zheng, C.; Wu, Y. The More Modest You are, the Happier You are: The Mediating Roles of Emotional Intelligence and Self-esteem. J. Happiness Stud. 2020, 21, 1603–1615. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ussher, J.M.; Perz, J.; Metusela, C.; Hawkey, A.J.; Morrow, M.; Narchal, R.; Estoesta, J. Negotiating Discourses of Shame, Secrecy, and Silence: Migrant and Refugee Women’s Experiences of Sexual Embodiment. Arch. Sex. Behav. 2017, 46, 1901–1921. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hofmeier, S.M.; Runfola, C.D.; Sala, M.; Gagne, D.A.; Brownley, K.A.; Bulik, C.M. Body image, aging, and identity in women over 50: The Gender and Body Image (GABI) study. J. Women Aging 2017, 29, 3–14. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Carrard, I.; Argyrides, M.; Ioannou, X.; Kvalem, I.L.; Waldherr, K.; Harcourt, D.; McArdle, S. Associations between body dissatisfaction, importance of appearance, and aging anxiety with depression, and appearance-related behaviors in women in mid-life. J. Women Aging 2021, 33, 70–83. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kilpela, L.S.; Hooper, S.C.; Straud, C.L.; Marshall, V.B.; Verzijl, C.L.; Stewart, T.M.; Loera, T.T.; Becker, C.B. The Longitudinal Associations of Body Dissatisfaction with Health and Wellness Behaviors in Midlife and Older Women. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 7143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Schaefer, L.M.; Burke, N.L.; Calogero, R.M.; Menzel, J.E.; Krawczyk, R.; Thompson, J.K. Self-objectification, body shame, and disordered eating: Testing a core mediational model of objectification theory among White, Black, and Hispanic women. Body Image 2018, 24, 5–12. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gracia, P.; Esping-Andersen, G. Fathers’ childcare and mothers’ paid work: A cross-national study of Denmark, Spain and the United Kingdom. Fam. Sci. 2015, 1, 270–281. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vinagre, A.; Aparicio Garcia, M.E.; Alvarado, J. Relationship between Assumed Differential Socialization and Emotional Disorders in Women: A Form of Covert Social Violence. Span. J. Psychol. 2020, 23, e50. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Chorot, P.; Valiente, R.M.; Magán, I.; Santed, M.Á. Perceived health and mental health: Development of the Multidimensional Perceived Health Questionnaire. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 3274. [Google Scholar]
- Fiori, K.L.; Denckla, C.A. Social Support and Mental Health in Middle-Aged Men and Women: A Multidimensional Approach. J. Aging Health 2012, 24, 407–438. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Eck, K.M.; Quick, V.; Byrd-Bredbenner, C. Body Dissatisfaction, Eating Styles, Weight-Related Behaviors, and Health among Young Women in the United States. Nutrients 2022, 14, 3876. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Medeiros de Morais, M.S.; Macêdo, S.G.G.F.; do Nascimento, R.A.; Vieira, M.C.A.; Moreira, M.A.; da Câmara, S.M.A.; Almeida, M.D.G.; Maciel, Á.C.C. Dissatisfaction with body image and weight gain in middle-aged women: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE 2024, 19, e0290380. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Johnson, P.J.; Jou, J.; Upchurch, D.M. Psychological Distress and Access to Care Among Midlife Women. J. Aging Health 2020, 32, 317–327. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Arnot, M.; Emmott, E.H.; Mace, R. The relationship between social support, stressful events, and menopause symptoms. PLoS ONE 2021, 16, e0245444. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Variable | N | % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Age group | ||||
Between 45 and 54 years old | 280 | 65.3 | ||
Between 55 and 64 years old | 149 | 34.7 | ||
Between 45 and 54 years old N(%) | Between 55 and 64 years old N(%) | |||
Place of residence | ||||
Urban | 292 | 68.1 | 192 (68.6) | 100 (67.1) |
Semi-urban | 95 | 22.1 | 62 (22.1) | 33 (22.1) |
Rural | 42 | 9.8 | 26 (9.3) | 16 (10.7) |
Sexual orientation | ||||
Heterosexual | 408 | 95.1 | 270 (96.4) | 138 (92.6) |
Homosexual | 7 | 1.6 | 4 (1.4) | 3 (2.0) |
Bisexual | 9 | 2.1 | 5 (1.8) | 4 (2.7) |
Other | 4 | 0.9 | 1 (0.4) | 3 (2.0) |
Marital status | ||||
Single woman | 67 | 15.6 | 47 (16.8) | 20 (13.4) |
Common-law couple | 44 | 10.3 | 35 (12.5) | 9 (6.0) |
Married | 218 | 50.8 | 131 (46.8) | 87 (58.4) |
Separated or divorced | 89 | 20.7 | 60 (21.4) | 29 (19.5) |
Widow | 11 | 2.6 | 7 (2.5) | 4 (2.7) |
Educational level | ||||
Without studies | 1 | 0.2 | 0 (0) | 1 (0.7) |
Primary studies | 32 | 7.5 | 18 (5.4) | 14 (9.4) |
Secondary education or similar | 144 | 33.6 | 93 (33.2) | 51 (34.2) |
University studies | 252 | 58.7 | 169 (60.4) | 83 (55.7) |
Employment status | ||||
Paid work and housework | 293 | 68.3 | 203 (72.5) | 90 (60.4) |
Housework | 43 | 10.0 | 23 (8.2) | 20 (13.4) |
Jobless | 23 | 5.4 | 15 (5.4) | 8 (5.4) |
Retired and pensioner | 26 | 6.1 | 7 (2.5) | 19 (12.8) |
Another situation | 44 | 10.3 | 32 (11.4) | 12 (8.1) |
Factors Included in Model | β | CI 95% β | Error Deviation | t-Value | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Constant | 7.655 | 4.395–10.915 | 1.658 | 4.616 | <0.001 |
State of Health | 2.401 | 1.674–3.128 | 0.370 | 6.490 | <0.001 |
Age Group Reference: 55–64 | −1.890 | −2.960–−0.820 | 0.544 | −3.473 | <0.001 |
Thinness | 0.222 | 0.048–0.396 | 0.089 | 2.503 | 0.013 |
Cohabitants | −0.449 | −0.855–−0.043 | 0.207 | −2.173 | 0.030 |
Relation | β | SE | t | p-Value | 95%CI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DE: thinness → total GHQ-12 score | 0.1704 | 0.0580 | 2.9377 | 0.0035 | 0.0564–0.2843 |
DE: declared state of health → total GHQ-12 score | 1.5561 | 0.2409 | 6.4602 | <0.001 | 1.0827–2.0296 |
IE: thinness → declared state of health → total GHQ-12 score | −0.0794 | 0.0897 | −0.8849 | 0.0376 | −0.2557–0.0970 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Pérez, I.; Cárdaba-García, R.M.; Velasco-Gonzalez, V.; Cárdaba-García, I.; Durantez-Fernández, C.; Muñoz-del Caz, A.; Soto-Cámara, R.; Aparicio-García, M.E.; Madrigal, M.; Pérez-Pérez, L. Conformity to Female Gender Norms and Its Influence on Psychological Risk in Spanish Climacteric Women: A Descriptive Study. Sexes 2025, 6, 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes6010010
Pérez I, Cárdaba-García RM, Velasco-Gonzalez V, Cárdaba-García I, Durantez-Fernández C, Muñoz-del Caz A, Soto-Cámara R, Aparicio-García ME, Madrigal M, Pérez-Pérez L. Conformity to Female Gender Norms and Its Influence on Psychological Risk in Spanish Climacteric Women: A Descriptive Study. Sexes. 2025; 6(1):10. https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes6010010
Chicago/Turabian StylePérez, Inmaculada, Rosa M. Cárdaba-García, Veronica Velasco-Gonzalez, Inés Cárdaba-García, Carlos Durantez-Fernández, Alba Muñoz-del Caz, Raúl Soto-Cámara, Marta Evelia Aparicio-García, Miguel Madrigal, and Lucía Pérez-Pérez. 2025. "Conformity to Female Gender Norms and Its Influence on Psychological Risk in Spanish Climacteric Women: A Descriptive Study" Sexes 6, no. 1: 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes6010010
APA StylePérez, I., Cárdaba-García, R. M., Velasco-Gonzalez, V., Cárdaba-García, I., Durantez-Fernández, C., Muñoz-del Caz, A., Soto-Cámara, R., Aparicio-García, M. E., Madrigal, M., & Pérez-Pérez, L. (2025). Conformity to Female Gender Norms and Its Influence on Psychological Risk in Spanish Climacteric Women: A Descriptive Study. Sexes, 6(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes6010010