Applying the Social Cognitive Theory for predicting the related factors to mental health of middle-age women referring to comprehensive health services centers

Background and Object:

 Mental health as one of the dimensions of health is especially important in middle-aged women. The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to mental health based on social cognitive theory in middle-aged women referring to the comprehensive health service centers in 2019.

This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 438 middle-aged women referring to three comprehensive health service centers by random sampling in 2019. The questionnaire used consisted of three sections: demographic characteristics, mental health and the structure of social cognitive theory. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 18 software using descriptive and inferential statistical tests.

The structures of self-efficacy (p-value < 0/001, β = -0/62), social support (p-value = 0/002, β=-0/12) and self-control (p-value=0/001, β = -0/17) showed a significant and inverse relationship with mental health. According to the results, social cognitive theory constructs were able to significantly explain the mental health of the studied women and predict 61% of their mental health changes.

Based on the findings of the present study, self-efficacy and social support were the main determinants of mental health in middle-aged women, therefore, in planning interventions to improve the mental health of this group, more emphasis can be placed on strategies to improve the aforementioned structures.