A descriptive study of the relationship between hysterectomy and depression among women

• Main Author: Moore, Rosemary
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center 1998
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/3598; http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5121&context=dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hysterectomies and depression among women between the ages of 15 and 65. Forty women were administered the Hamilton Rating Scale. The scale was used to obtain data that would measure the respondents, level of depression, to determine whether receiving a hysterectomy has any relationship to severe depression. Findings indicated that there is a statistically significant correlation between hysterectomy and depression. Hysterectomy significantly increases the risk for depression, which often emerges as much as two years after surgery. Further studies need to be conducted in this particular area in order to follow the cases of women who undergo this procedure, and to help implement support groups to deal with the problem of post hysterectomy depression.