Self-Care and Positive Mental Health During the Climacteric Stage: Conceptual Framework and Social Relevance
Self-care is a fundamental human function, particularly vital during the climacteric stage, when women experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes. The conceptual foundation of this project is Dorothea Orem's General Theory of Self-Care Deficit, which encompasses both the individual's capacity for self-care and their ability to care for others. Orem defines self-care as "the personal actions undertaken and performed by each individual to maintain life, health, and well-being, and to consistently respond to their health needs."
Despite the importance of this life stage, the scientific literature indicates that most interventions targeting health issues in women during the climacteric have been non-holistic, often addressing physical and emotional aspects in isolation. There is a notable lack of empirical evidence supporting interventions that simultaneously promote self-care and positive mental health (PMH) in menopausal women. Existing studies tend to focus on problem-solving strategies, lifestyle modifications, and empowerment programs aimed at improving quality of life. However, no specific programs have been identified that address PMH in this population.
Both PMH and self-care capacity are essential constructs for women adapting to the multifaceted changes of the climacteric. Enhancing these dimensions may contribute significantly to health promotion during this extended phase of the female life cycle, which is often marked by conditions that negatively impact quality of life. Research suggests that psychosocial factors such as optimism, emotional stability, and self-esteem are positively associated with well-being and resilience. Moreover, several studies support a bidirectional relationship between self-care and PMH, indicating that improvements in one domain can reinforce the other. A notable example is the PiPsE program, which aims to enhance PMH in individuals with chronic illnesses.
The outcomes of this project are expected to advance the field of women's health by deepening our understanding of the needs of women during the menopausal transition, particularly in relation to PMH and self-care. These findings may inform the development of tailored intervention programs that support women's health across all stages of menopause, aligning with broader health promotion and disease prevention policies.
This proposal aligns with Strategic Line DEM.2.2.4 of the III Strategic Plan for Effective Equality of Women and Men (2022-2025), which advocates for "the implementation of sexual and reproductive health programs at all life stages." By addressing the menopausal stage-a period often overlooked in empirical research-this project contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of women's health. Furthermore, incorporating a gender perspective in health research is essential to correcting and eliminating gender biases in the diagnosis, treatment, and conceptualization of women's physiological and psychological processes. This study promotes a positive, health-affirming approach to women's physical and mental well-being, centering the voices of menopausal women as primary stakeholders.
Utility and Relevance for Social Sectors
This innovative project reorients the focus of women's sexual health from the reproductive phase to its conclusion-menopause-during which women undergo a range of physical, psychoemotional, and social transformations. It is imperative that society recognize and value the resilience and strength of women in this stage, beyond their reproductive roles. Accordingly, this project seeks to highlight women's psychoemotional capacities, self-care abilities, and the broader social significance of these attributes.
It is also essential to provide women with platforms to articulate their physical and emotional needs throughout the climacteric (pre-, peri-, and post-menopause). The findings of this study should inform the design of programs that promote PMH, emotional well-being, and self-care capacity within a health promotion framework, empowering women to take an active role in managing their health. Additionally, this research will help define a distinct domain of women's health, separate from the male sexual and reproductive trajectory.
Evidence continues to show that caregiving responsibilities disproportionately fall on women. As highlighted in the Research Team Experience section, who has long been committed to strengthening the physical and mental resilience of women caregivers through initiatives that promote PMH and self-care. During menopause, many women also assume caregiving roles for elderly dependents, which can exacerbate the physical and emotional challenges of this life stage. This underscores the urgent need to support and reinforce women's self-care-both physical and mental-during the climacteric.
