Possible future changes in menopausal women

The study analyzed the relationships among the Self (Actual and Future Self), expectations of future changes and psychological well-being (Actual and Future Satisfaction), in a life period permeated by changes, such as menopause. We hypothesized that Menopause affects negatively actual and future representations and Menopause has a moderating influence on the relation between actual and future representations. The sample is made up of 188 women. Menopausal women are more afraid of future bodily changes, and they had more negative expectations about their own body image, than those who are not yet menopausal. However, despite the pessimistic expectations about the body physiology, a positively oriented trend emerged regarding a future context. Both Actual Self and Actual Satisfaction had a positive impact on expectation about future changes. Furthermore, Menopausal status showed a moderating influence on the relation between Actual Self and Future Self representation. The results underline how a positive representation of the Self helps in dealing with menopausal changes.