Development of Social Support Model to Reduce Menopause Women’s Anxiety

Background: Menopause is a natural phase of a woman's life when menstrual periods stop permanently and cause psychological symptoms such as anxiety. anxiety can be reduced when women get social support.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop a social support model to reduce anxiety in menopausal women.

Method: This study applied explanatory research design with a Cross-sectional approach. The study population was selected 197 menopausal women who were in 11 clusters in Diwek - Jombang Regency. The participants were selected using Cluster Random sampling. The data analyzed by using the Partial Least Square test. The inclusion criteria of this research are 1) Women Menopause Age 45-55 years old experiencing anxiety, 2) Registered in couples of childbearing age records 2017 of Diwek District Health Center, while the exclusion criteria of this research are 1) Menopausal women single/ virgin, 2) Using tranquilizers, 3) Using hormone replacement therapy (TSH).

Results: The results showed that (1) individual factors significantly influenced the evaluation of stress (path coefficient of -0.056, t = 3.74); (2) social networking significantly influences stress evaluation (path coefficient -0.147, t = 2.13); (3) social support significantly influences stress evaluation (path coefficient -0.117, t = 2.02); (4) social support significantly influences anxiety (path coefficient -0.326, t = 5.25); and (5) stress evaluation significantly influences anxiety (path coefficient 0.196, t = 9.07).

Conclusion: The development of social support models to reduce postmenopausal anxiety has a significant direct effect. The development of the model consists of stress assessment consisting of experience, trust, coping resources, informative support and award support. The development of social support is highly recommended to reduce anxiety among menopausal women by promoting stress evaluation and social support from close relationships.