Keeping up Appearances

The Basic Social Process of the Menopausal Transition

Bibliographic Data

ID4632328
AuthorsLinda A Kittell (Pennsylvania,, corresponding author), Phyllis Kernoff Mansfield (Women's Studies Program at the Pennsylvania State University), Ann M Voda (College of Nursing at the University of Utah)
Year1998
Volume8
Issue5
Pages618-633
Publication date1998-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/104973239800800504
OpenAlexW2118297505
LanguageEN
Citations received19
References cited15

Sixty-one perimenopausal women experiencing changes in menstrual bleeding were interviewed by phone and were asked about the changes they were experiencing, how they felt about the changes, and how the changes affected their lives. Women's responses indicated that they perceived certain changes (unpredictable or unexpectedly heavy bleeding, intense hot flashes, and sudden emotional outbursts) as potentially embarrassing or disruptive. Women's attempts to conceal and maintain control of changes led to the discovery of the core variable, keeping up appearances. The results of this study emphasize the need for a greater specificity in correlating women's feelings and behaviors with particular changes as well as the need for a better understanding of the ways in which social and cultural expectations influence women's feelings and behavior

Developmental psychology · Feeling · Menopause · Sense of control · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Communication in Education and Healthcare · Medicine · Menstrual Health and Disorders · Psychology · Social Psychology

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