Biopsychosocial predictors of symptoms of depression in a sample of South African women diagnosed with endometriosis

Abstract

We examined biopsychosocial predictors of symptoms of depression in women with endometriosis. The sample consisted of 202 women with endometriosis who completed a battery of measures including a demographic questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Stellenbosch Endometriosis Quality of life Menstrual characteristics subscale, Short form health survey Physical functioning subscale, and three modular components of the Endometriosis Health Profile 30, namely the Sexual Relationships, Feelings about the Medical Profession, and Feelings about Infertility modules. About 43.1% of the sample reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression. Physical functioning, feelings about the medical profession and sexual relationships were significant predictors of symptoms of depression. The identification of these predictors may enable researchers and practitioners to identify patients to be screened for depression, e.g., patients who report sub-optimal physical functioning, negative feelings about the medical profession and difficult sexual relationships.

Acknowledgments

The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) toward this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF.