Life satisfaction and health-related quality of life (SF-36) of middle-aged men and women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate life satisfaction and health-related quality of life (SF-36) in a general population sample of middle-aged women and men. The effects of menopausal status and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use upon life satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HrQOL) were also examined for the female sample.


METHODS
All men and women aged 49-55 years from the age/sex register of a large general practice in London were contacted and asked to complete a questionnaire about their health.


METHODS
A total of 103 women (55%) and 86 men (40%) participated; of the women, 15% were premenopausal, 68% peri- or postmenopausal and 17% taking HRT.


RESULTS
Women and men reported similar levels of HrQOL, life satisfaction and general health, although women reported more physical problems (SF-36). The significant predictors of HrQOL were serious illness, employment and marital status, but HRT use and menopausal status were not significantly associated with life satisfaction nor HrQOL (for women).


CONCLUSIONS
Gender differences in health and HrQOL may be less apparent during mid-life, although there were some subtle differences between men and women in reported health concerns and reasons given for (dis)satisfaction with their lives.
O'Dea
I
I
Department of Psychology, St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH, UK.
Hunter
M S
MS
Anjos
S
S
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D011788:Quality of Life; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology