Introduction:
Depression is one of the important causes of disability in the world and the mostcommon psychiatric disorder in
midlife women. The exact etiology of depression in
midlife isunclear. Given the differences between women who lived in Middle-East region and westerncommunities, this study is conducted with the aim of determining contributing factors of depressionin
midlife women living in the Middle East region.Materials and Methods: The present study is a systematic review in which researchers conductedtheir computer search in database including PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web ofScience, SCOPUS, and Google scholar were searched. The quality of articles was assessed by usingrisk of bias tool.Results: After full appraisal of the retrieved studies, fifteen articles were chosen and included inthis review.
Depression was prevalent in
midlife women (minimum of 1 in every 4 women).Several factors play a role in making women vulnerable to develop depressive symptoms.Researcher’s finding regarding
related factors of depression in the Middle-East in 4 categories.They are include of demographic factors (age, parity or numbers of children, marital status,ethnic/racial differences, educational level, employment status), biological factors (transition tomenopause and experiencing a longer perimenopausal period, severe menopausal symptoms, earlymenopause and inability to give birth, took hormones during menopause, type of menopause suchas surgical menopause, menopause stages), Physical factors (poor woman’s health status, chronicphysical diseases, history of surgery, number of medical symptoms and diseases, physical illnessand disability caused by psychiatric disorders, presence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), havingirregular menstruation before menopause, obesity), Psychological factors (previous history ofdepression and other psychiatric disorders, family history of mood disturbance, negative attitudestoward menopause and aging, unpleasant and stressful life events, high levels of stress and anxiety,acute and chronic stress, inadequate emotional support, loss of sense of control over the life). Riskof bias for a majority of the studies conducted in the Middle Eastern region on depression in midlifewas moderate.Conclusion: Multiple factors need to be taken into account when assessing a
midlife woman for thepresence of depression symptoms. This will help primary health care providers includingpsychiatrists in providing a better care by considering appropriate interventions.