Chinese women’s health and wellbeing in middle life: Unpacking the influence of menopause, lifestyle activities and social participation

Objectives To examine Chinese middle-aged women’s health and wellbeing the associated biosocial correlates. Study design This study used a cross-sectional design, including selected retrospectively collected information on final menstrual period, drawn from 2013 wave of China Health Retirement Longitudinal (CHARLS). Women aged 45 to 59 were selected. Main outcome measures Factor analysis 16 menopausal symptom ratings yielded four different independent pre-/peri-menopausal early postmenopausal health. These were: negative mood (feel frustrated, sad, lonely, worried, bored, angry, tired stressed), positive emotions enthusiastic, content happy), musculoskeletal pain (shoulder/neck pain, knee other joint back pain), sleep memory problems (trouble sleeping poor memory). Results Menopausal status was positively with problems, whilst number years since period pain. In contrast, lifestyle activities social participation linked emotions. The association between factors not significant after controlling for demographic background factors. Conclusions Musculoskeletal as well are biological amongst mid-life women. Maintaining active engagement contributes among