Date

8-9-2024

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Donna Busarow

Keywords

loneliness, women, motherhood, menopause, isolation, solitude

Disciplines

Counseling | Psychology

Abstract

Menopause is a stage of the life cycle known for physical, mental, and emotional changes. Many women report feeling isolated and lonely during this time due to changes in hormones and physical appearance, lack of sleep, uncertainty about their role after raising children, and cultural pressures to remain thin and beautiful. Due to the lack of education and normalization of this life change, women often withdraw and become increasingly depressed or anxious, as a result. Loneliness is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, suicidality, premature death, and a variety of other physical ailments. However, previous research suggests that the practice of solitude, faith, perspective-taking, self-talk, and social connection are effective in reducing these symptoms. In this phenomenological study, women who were identified as being of menopausal age (40-60 years) were interviewed about their experience of loneliness and subsequent coping skills during this life stage. The goal of this study was to learn from the insight and practice of menopausal women in how they coped with loneliness and altered their perspective of being alone. Participants sought relief through the practice of solitude, faith, perspective-taking, self-talk, and social connection. Key factors that enabled women to access these skills had to do with the normalization and validation of their experience, which was needed from partners, peers, medical practitioners, and therapists. This information was then conveyed to medical, spiritual, and mental health practitioners to enhance their assessment and treatment of women presenting with loneliness and other symptoms related to menopause.

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