{"title":"Psychological distress in menopause: Individual factors, loneliness and social support.","authors":"Nurcan Kırca, Ayten Kaya Kılıç, Semra Saruç","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2720247","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2720247","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of the authors of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological distress and loneliness levels among women going through menopause and their perceived social support. This descriptive, relational study collected data between November 2023 and October 2024. Data were gathered using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Psychological Distress Scale. Our findings indicated that the participating women experienced moderate levels of loneliness (43.58 ± 8.97) and psychological distress (26.14 ± 9.55), and reported a moderate level of perceived social support (51.51 ± 19.50). Path analysis was conducted to investigate the mediating role of social support in the relationship between psychological distress and loneliness. Our results suggest that enhanced social support is necessary to reduce levels of psychological distress and loneliness among menopausal women, and that increases in perceived social support may contribute to a healthier menopausal experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148867295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fatma Çiftci, Merve Yazar Renkyorgancı, Berna Bayır
{"title":"The relationship between gender role attitudes and reproductive autonomy among married women of reproductive age: An integrated SEM-SWARA approach for policy implication.","authors":"Fatma Çiftci, Merve Yazar Renkyorgancı, Berna Bayır","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2721500","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2721500","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We aimed to examine the relationship between gender role attitudes and reproductive autonomy among married women of reproductive age using an integrated SEM-SWARA approach, and to derive evidence-based policy implications for strengthening reproductive autonomy. We recruited 881 married women of childbearing age residing in Konya, Türkiye through convenience sampling. Our findings indicated that patriarchal perspectives in gender role attitudes were negatively associated with reproductive autonomy (β= -0.092, β= -0.627, β= -0.400, β= -0.407; <i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, we identified significant negative correlations between reproductive autonomy and the sub-dimensions reflecting patriarchal perspectives (r= -0.149, r= -0.423, r= -0.287, r= -0.291; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Our SWARA analysis revealed that social and economic factors were the most prioritized structural domains associated with reproductive autonomy. Our findings highlight the significant association between gender role attitudes and reproductive autonomy among married women, underscoring the need for structural and educational interventions to promote women's reproductive rights.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-24"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhancing respiratory function in menopausal women through an online Thai dance aerobic program: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Sonchai Ponlasen, Daroonwan Suksom, Wannaporn Tongtako","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2717561","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2717561","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The researchers aimed to assess the effects of a Thai dance training program on respiratory function in menopausal women. Twenty-two menopausal women aged 45-59 were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CON; <i>n</i> = 10) and an Aerobic Thai dance group (ATD; <i>n</i> = 12). The CON group maintained their usual daily activities, while the ATD group underwent supervised online aerobic Thai dance sessions three times a week for ten weeks at home. Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and aerobic capacity were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The ATD group showed a significant decrease in respiratory rate compared to the pretest (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and demonstrated significantly higher measures of pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, peak oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production compared to both pretest values and the CON group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The researchers conclude that a home-based online Thai dance program may enhance respiratory function in menopausal women.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148820045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdul Baten, Raaj Kishore Biswas, Evie Kendal, Jahar Bhowmik
{"title":"Utilization of maternal healthcare services among women in 33 low-and middle-income countries: A pooled analysis of 2015-2022 demographic and health survey data.","authors":"Abdul Baten, Raaj Kishore Biswas, Evie Kendal, Jahar Bhowmik","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2715599","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2715599","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Utilizing maternal healthcare services (MHS)-such as antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance (SBA), institutional delivery (ID), and postnatal care (PNC) is vital for reducing maternal mortality. Using data from 33 LMICs, the authors found that the average MHS utilization rates were 58.9% for ANC, 70.0% for SBA, 66.9% for ID, and 53.8% for PNC, with considerable variation across countries. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that factors like rural residence, lower education, and higher parity were associated with reduced MHS access. Tailored interventions may help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for maternal health by 2030.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-27"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Burcu Mert, Emre Emekli, Ümit Şimşek, Bahadır Saka
{"title":"Radiological evaluation of trauma in women experiencing intimate partner violence: The role in early detection and intervention.","authors":"Burcu Mert, Emre Emekli, Ümit Şimşek, Bahadır Saka","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2720248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2720248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue affecting women globally, often leading to physical and psychological trauma. Authors retrospectively analyzes radiological findings in female IPV victims who presented to our hospital over a 13-year period. Common injuries included cranial trauma and nasal bone fractures, with upper extremity injuries also frequently observed. The authors highlight the critical role radiological imaging plays in identifying IPV-related injuries and emphasizes the importance of early detection. Increased awareness and targeted radiological evaluations can aid in breaking the cycle of violence through timely interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Who are the participants in research on diagnostic delay for endometriosis? A commentary on Fryer et al. (2025).","authors":"Ellen Frost, Madeleine Pownall, Daryl B O'Connor","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2720251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2720251","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Predictors of resilience in adults with chronic disease: Differences by gender.","authors":"Hsuan-Man Hung, Hui-Ling Wang, Huan-Fang Lee, Hsiang-Chin Hsu","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2714034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2714034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We aimed to identify significant predictors of resilience among middle-aged and older women and men with chronic diseases who live in the community. A cross-sectional study was employed. Three hundred and twenty-two men and 404 women with chronic disease were enrolled as participants. Overall, level of education, being employed, and exercising regularly were all positively associated with level of resilience. Religiosity and not taking regularly prescribed medications were both associated with resilience in women only. The significant gender-dependent predictors of resilience identified in this study included educational level and religiosity (women) and self-perceived spiritual health (men).</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seda Yakıt Yeşilyurt, Özde Zorbilmez, Merve Başol Göksülük
{"title":"An investigation of mental imagery ability fluctuations across the menstrual cycle: a longitudinal study.","authors":"Seda Yakıt Yeşilyurt, Özde Zorbilmez, Merve Başol Göksülük","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2705954","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2705954","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mental imagery (MI) ability was examined across menstrual cycle phases, and associations with menstrual symptoms were evaluated. A longitudinal study was conducted with 168 women aged 18-25 with regular cycles. Menstrual cycle phases were monitored using a smartphone-based menstrual cycle tracking application, and mental imagery was assessed at four time points (menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal) using the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2. Menstrual symptoms and pain intensity were evaluated using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire and Numerical Rating Scale-11. MI ability, particularly kinesthetic imagery, differed significantly across menstrual phases (<i>p</i> < 0.001), with the lowest vividness observed during menstruation. However, no significant correlations were found between menstrual symptoms and MI ability (<i>p</i> > 0.05). MI variability was examined across four distinct menstrual cycle phases using a longitudinal within-cycle design. The authors' findings highlight cycle-related variations in MI. The authors suggest that menstrual phase may be considered when implementing imagery-based interventions in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148608711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seda Bicici Ulusahin, Ceren Celik, Ceylin Zeynep Abut, Hüsna Balcı, Hasan Gerçek
{"title":"Effects of yoga on pain, sleep quality, and aerobic endurance in young women with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Seda Bicici Ulusahin, Ceren Celik, Ceylin Zeynep Abut, Hüsna Balcı, Hasan Gerçek","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2682319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2682319","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a prevalent condition in young women, characterized by menstrual pain, sleep disturbances, and reduced physical activity. Yoga has been suggested as a non-pharmacological intervention. We examined the effects of a 12-week yoga program on menstrual pain, sleep quality, and cardiorespiratory endurance in 36 women aged 18-25 years with PD. Participants were allocated to yoga (n = 18) or control (n = 18) groups. Menstrual pain decreased in both groups (yoga: <i>p</i> < .001; control: <i>p</i> = .041), with no significant between-group difference (<i>p</i> > .05). Sleep parameters showed no intergroup differences in efficiency, latency, or duration, yet the yoga group exhibited reduced wake after sleep onset (<i>p</i> = .032), indicating improved sleep continuity (control: <i>p</i> = .813). Cardiorespiratory endurance (Incremental and Endurance Shuttle Walk Tests) showed no significant changes (<i>p</i> > .05). A 12-week yoga intervention may reduce menstrual pain and improve sleep continuity within groups; however, no significant improvements in aerobic endurance were observed. Longer or more intensive programs may be needed for physiological adaptations.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148164602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gisele P Mendes, Simone F Nery, Tays F Guedes, Fernando M Reis
{"title":"Effects of standard nurse consultation vs. informative video on anxiety levels in women starting assisted reproductive technology treatments: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Gisele P Mendes, Simone F Nery, Tays F Guedes, Fernando M Reis","doi":"10.1080/07399332.2026.2679764","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2026.2679764","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments are associated with high anxiety levels. We investigated the effects of a standard nurse consultation compared to exhibition of an informative video on anxiety levels in women starting ART treatments. We performed a randomized controlled trial enrolling 100 participants that were allocated to consultation or video on a 1:1 ratio. Anxiety was measured as the State component of the STAI Inventory immediately before and one week after the intervention. There was a significant decrease of STAI-S scores after consultation (median change of -2%, interquartile range -18% to 8%, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and after video watching (median change of -7%, interquartile range -21% to 0%, <i>p</i> < 0.01), with no difference between the two interventions (<i>p</i> = 0.116 for the interaction time x group). These findings suggest that a standard nurse consultation as well as the exhibition of an informative video may contribute to reduce anxiety in women starting ART treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":47836,"journal":{"name":"Health Care for Women International","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148057392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}