Self-esteem of hypertensive women with menopause (climacteric) problems

Abstract

The study analyzed the self-stem of hyper tense women who experience the climacterium. The research was done based in a descriptive study, and it was experienced in a health clinic located in Fortaleza, Ceara. This clinic works attending people who suffer of cardiologic and pulmonary diseases. Twenty hyper tense women, between forty-five and fifty-five years old, took part on this study. The data was colleted using the method of interviewing the patients, and then classifying them in categories according to the self-esteem sources proposed by Brander (1995). The study analysis was based in a reference theory of selfstem. The speeches were organized and analyzed in six categories: attitude of living consciously, attitude of self-affirmation, attitude of intention, and attitude of personal integrity. It was concluded that the women presented low self-stem in consequence of the outside and the inside factors. Among the outside factors the study revealed low economic power, economic dependence, and low level of schooling. Among the inside factors, the physical change inherent to the phase of the vital cycle was the only factor that affected the women’s selfstem. These results will subsidize the program of nursing assistance for hyper tense women at the climacterium.