This study examined differences in cognitive, affective, and behavioral attitudes toward menopause between peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women. It hypothesized significant differences in overall attitudes and each dimension. The independent variables were menopause stage and dependent variables were attitude dimensions. Data was collected from 62 women aged 45-55 and 60-70 using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-tests. Results found a significant difference only in cognitive dimension attitudes between groups, but no significant differences in affective or behavioral dimensions.

1. METHODOLOGY
Objective
The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a significant difference in the multi
dimensional attitudes: cognitive, affective and behavior, of peri menopausal and post
menopausal women towards menopause. The age group ranges from 45-55 years and 60-70
years of age.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis 1 There is a significant difference in the multi dimensional attitudes: cognitive,
affective, behavioral of peri menopausal and post menopausal women towards menopause.
Hypothesis 2 There is a significant difference in the dimension of Cognition between the peri
menopausal and post menopausal women.
Hypothesis 3 There is a significant difference in the dimension of Affect between the peri
menopausal and post menopausal women.
Hypothesis 4 There is a significant difference in the dimension of Behavior between the peri
menopausal and post menopausal women.

2. Variables
The variables have been divided into three categories namely dependent variables and
independent variables and intervening variables. The dependent variables taken in this study
were the cognitive, affective and behavioural aspects of attitude.
The independent variables used in this study are peri menopausal and post menopausal women.
Some of the intervening variables that have been controlled in this study are the qualifications of
the women, their age, occupation and the number of children they have.
Research Instruments
The research method adopted in this study is a quantitative non experimental method. The
following instruments were used in the study along with a consent form which also provides us
with the basic information of the participant. The instrument is called, Multi- dimensional
Attitudes Menopause Scale (MAMES) given by Nwagu, E.K.N (PhD) from the Department of
Social Science Education, University of Nigeria, Madu, B.C (PhD) from the Department of
Science Education, University of Nigeria and Ede, E.N. from school of Public Health Nsukka
Nigeria. It consists of 33 items which are divided into three sub-scales namely, cognitive,
affective and behavioral aspects of attitude. In this study a likert type scale was used as a
response indicator format for measurement. The likert scale is regarded as a simpler form of data

3. collection that acknowledges that the questions require expressed opinions. The respondents
were asked to rate each item on a point rating scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree, and
strongly disagree. The items and internal consistency reliability of the sub scales have provided
substantial evidence of construct and criterion validity. The reliability of the questionnaire was
mentioned separately for each individual sub scale using Cronbach’s alpha reliability. Cognitive
aspect is 0.545, Affective aspect is 0.501 and Behavioral aspect is 0.597.
Sample
The sample consists of 62 participants between the age group of 45-55 years and 60-70 years of
age. Of these were 31 perimenopausal women and 31 post menopausal women. The method
adopted for sample collection was snow ball sampling.
Procedure
Participants were approached individually. First, they were asked if they are seated comfortably
and were explained the reason of the study in a very brief and vague manner. They were
informed that their participation was completely voluntary and that they could withdraw from the
study whenever they desired. Subjects were allowed to leave out some of the demographic
information they were uncomfortable with disclosing. Participants were explained that their age,
educational qualifications and occupation were mandatory for the purpose of this study. After
they agreed to all the terms and conditions, they were provided with a consent form along with
the questionnaire to complete it.

4. Data Analysis
The statistics used in the present study to analyze the collected data were mean, standard
deviation and t-test.
Delimitations
1. Participants were selected from a limited geographical area and may not be representative
of individuals in other regions of the country.
2. The participants belonged to the middle class and might not be representative of other
socio-economic classes in India.
Results
Table 1
Total, Mean, Standard Deviation and t-ratio of the attitudes of women towards menopause, peri
menopausal (n=31) and post menopausal (n=31).
Peri-menopausal Women Post-menopausal Women
Total Mean S.D Total Mean S.D t
Attitude Scale 2947 32 6.29 2923 31.43 5.35 0.54
Table 1 shows the total scores obtained by peri menopausal women which is 2947 and post
menopausal women which is 2923. The mean of the peri menopausal group is 32, whereas the
mean of the post menopausal group is 31.43.

5. Table 2
Mean, Standard Deviation and t-ratio on the dimensions of Attitude between Peri menopausal
and Post menopausal women.
Prei menopausal Women Post menopausal Women
Mean S.D Mean S.D t
Cognitive 39.06 2.71 37.09 3.35 2.53*
Affective 28.51 4.53 29.03 4.54 0.44
Behavioural 27.48 2.93 28.16 2.45 0.98
p<0.05
Table 2 shows that there is a significant difference in the means of the dimension of the cognitive
scale (p< 0.05) between the attitudes of peri menopausal (M=39.06) and post menopausal
women (M=37.09). However significant differences were not found between the means of the
dimension of behavior and affect between the two groups (M = 28.51 and M= 27.48
respectively).