Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Menopause: social expectations, women's realities.

N L Stotland1

  • 1Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 60637-1713, USA. nadast@aol.com

Archives of Women'S Mental Health
|December 28, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Societal views of menopause, influenced by youth-oriented culture, negatively impact women's experiences and psychiatric care. Addressing these perceptions is crucial for understanding women's midlife transitions.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Tug-of-war: domestic abuse and the misuse of religion.

The American journal of psychiatry·2000
Same author

Depression in women.

Obstetrical & gynecological survey·1999
Same author

Gender: what's the difference?

The American journal of psychiatry·1999
Same author

When religion collides with medicine.

The American journal of psychiatry·1999
Same author

Comments on abortion.

The American journal of psychiatry·1998
Same author

Psychiatry, the law, and public affairs.

The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law·1998

Area of Science:

  • Sociology of Health
  • Women's Health
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Menopause significantly impacts women's psychiatric treatment, shaped by social and historical contexts.
  • American society's youth-centric focus creates negative perceptions of aging and menopause.
  • Societal expectations for women during menopause often conflict with their personal experiences and evolving roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze how societal and historical contexts influence women's experiences of menopause.
  • To examine the ramifications of these societal views on psychiatric treatment for menopausal women.
  • To explore the discrepancy between societal perceptions and women's lived experiences during menopause.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative analysis of societal narratives and expectations surrounding menopause.
  • Review of historical trends in the perception of aging in women.
  • Examination of the impact of media and cultural portrayals on women's self-perception during midlife.

Main Results:

  • Menopause is often inaccurately portrayed as a period of loss, despite many women experiencing it as a time of liberation.
  • The emphasis on hormone therapy, mislabeled as "replacement," intensifies anxieties about aging.
  • Societal views create a disconnect between women's self-actualization and external perceptions of their value and roles.

Conclusions:

  • Psychiatric care for menopausal women must account for the profound influence of societal and cultural expectations.
  • Challenging negative stereotypes associated with menopause is essential for improving women's mental well-being.
  • A nuanced understanding of menopause, acknowledging women's diverse experiences, is critical for effective treatment and support.

Related Experiment Videos