Comparisons of Body Image, Depression, and Climacteric Symptoms among Middle-Aged Women with and without Thyroidectomy

갑상선절제술을 받은 중년여성과 받지 않은 중년여성의 신체상, 우울, 갱년기 증상 비교

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare body image, depression, and climacteric symptoms among middle-aged women with and without thyroidectomy. Method: The research design was a comparative descriptive study using a self-report questionnaire. A total of 102 women aged 40~59 years were recruited using a convenient sampling method. A total of 52 women out of 102 were within a year after thyroidectomy due to benign disease. The rest of the subjects were healthy women without any previous diseases in thyroid. The instruments included Body Image Concern Inventory, Climacteric symptoms, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, $x^2$-test, one-way ANOVA, and correlation analysis. Results: There were no significantly differences in age, education, menstruation states between women with and without thyroidectomy. The demographic characteristics of two groups were homogeneous. There were significantly statistical differences in body image (t= 8.456, p=.000), and depression (t=3.142, p=.002) between the groups. There was, however, no significantly differences of climacteric symptoms. In addition, in women with thyroidectomy, no significant associations were found among body image, depression, and climacteric symptoms. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated the need to develop an effective nursing intervention to increase body image and to reduce depression in middle-aged women after thyroidectomy.