Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the social support level among perimenopausal women and explore its key influencing factors. METHODS: From November 2022 to March 2023, a stratified multistage random sampling method was used to recruit 647 perimenopausal women from three communities in Tianjin, China. The participants completed the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Nonparametric tests, correlation analysis, and stepwise regression analysis were conducted to explore key factors influencing social support. Robustness checks were performed using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall social support level of perimenopausal women was moderately low (34.190 ± 10.007), with the lowest scores observed in the 46-50 age group (33.000 ± 9.666). Stepwise regression analysis showed that, compared to married women, single women reported significantly lower social support levels (β = -0.242, p < 0.001). Using public sector employees as the reference group, women in all other occupational categories (including self-employed, corporate employees, farmers, freelancers, and other professions) had significantly lower social support scores (β range: -0.196 to -0.232, all p < 0.05). Compared to those with good family relationships, women with average (β = -0.420, p < 0.001) and poor (β = -0.349, p < 0.001) family relationships reported significantly lower social support levels. In terms of menopausal symptoms, greater severity of palpitations (β = -0.140, p < 0.05) and dyspareunia (β = -0.143, p < 0.05) was associated with lower social support, while higher levels of neuroticism (β = 0.102, p < 0.05) and joint/muscle pain (β = 0.158, p < 0.05) were linked to greater social support. CONCLUSIONS: Social support levels among perimenopausal women were generally low, particularly among those aged 46-50 years. Marital status, occupational type, and family relationships were key influencing factors, and certain menopausal symptoms were closely related to social support, especially those that are difficult to discuss, such as palpitations and dyspareunia. These findings highlight the necessity of strengthening social support networks for perimenopausal women and provide scientific evidence for the development of targeted interventions and public health policies to enhance their well-being and promote healthy aging.