Effect of Implementing a Life Skills Program on the Perceptions of Aging and Self-efficacy in Postmenopausal Women: A Field Trial

BACKGROUND: Complications experienced by women during menopause affect their self-efficacy and can cause a negative attitude toward this period and lifestyle changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a life skills program on the perception of aging and self-efficacy in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed as a field trial on 70 postmenopausal women referring to Imam Ali and Navaab Safavi health centers in Isfahan, Iran, in 2018–19. The eligible subjects were randomly divided into experimental and control groups using a number table. The experimental group received the life skills program in five sessions and the control group shared their experiences in two sessions. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form and the Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ) and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests in SPSS software. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean score of aging perception immediately and 1 month after the intervention in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the self-efficacy score in the experimental group immediately (F(1,67) = 121.89, p < 0.001) and 1 month after the intervention (F(1,67) = 121.89, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This life skills program was able to reduce the perception of aging and physical complaints during menopause and improve self-efficacy in women. Therefore, the implementation of this intervention is recommended in women.