Self-regulation of menopause

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to test Leventhal's common sense model reflecting women's menopausal experiences. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to examine the common sense model. We recruited 228 women between 45 and 64 years (mean, 55.6 ± 0.35 years). Most of them were white (63.4%), college educated (74.2%), and postmenopausal (76.8%). RESULTS After adding three regression pathways based on the common sense model and modification indices, the fit indices of the alternative model indicated acceptable fit (χ(2) = 99.69 [P < 0.0001] with df = 46, goodness of fit = 0.95, comparative fit index = 0.95, root mean square error of approximation = 0.07 [90% CI, 0.05-0.09], and Akaike information criterion = 247.69). According to the results, menopausal representation can influence how women seek and engage in health behavior as coping strategies that impact their quality of life. The findings suggested the common sense model reflecting women's menopausal experiences. CONCLUSIONS As expected, the common sense model can help healthcare professionals understand women's menopausal representations that can provide a context for specific and individualized intervention that will have a greater efficacy with women.