Daydreaming in 40- to 60-year-old women: menopause, health, values, and sexuality.
In a cross-sectional study of 17- to 92-year-olds two midlife influences in daydreaming were observed by Giambra (1979-80): A much larger mean for daydreaming frequency at 45-49 years of age for both men and women and a much smaller mean for sexual daydreaming beginning with 50- to 54-year-old women. This study investigated these midlife influences on daydreaming on a large sample of women. The sample consisted of 477 women from 40 to 60 years of age. A total of 42 variables were investigated; these included variables related to health status, symptom presence, menstruation difficulties, sexual activity, demographic concerns, importance of various life activities, and effects of menopause. The most salient outcome of this study was that daydreaming tended to be more prevalent among women who exhibited various psychological symptoms and who were less physically healthy, and that menopause was not a moderating variable. This outcome was discussed within the current concerns framework of Klinger (1971).
D000328:Adult; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008593:Menopause; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012803:Sick Role; D012945:Social Values