Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explain the effects of life event stress, positive and negative functions of social network of depression of menopausal women, and to examine buffering effect of positive function of social network and exacerbating effect of negative function. For these purpose, the data were collected from the 176 menopausal women through the life event stress rating scale, CES-D scale, social support and conflict scale. Data were analysed frequency, percentile, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression with SPSS PC+program. The results of this study were as follow : 1. The positive and negative functions of social network had effect on menopausal women's depression as expected. Between the positive and negative functions of social network, negative function of social network had more potent effect on menopausal women's depression than positive function of social network. 2. The buffering effect of positive function of social network was not found. This result is consistent with some previous research. However, further studies on this effect are needed since there are studies which do not support this result. 3. The exacerbating effect of negative function of social network was not statistically significant. This result indicates that regardless of stress level, negative function of social network does not amplify the effect of stress on menopausal depression. As a conclusion, emphasis on the importance of negative function of social network in this study has offered a new subject for social network research.

• Keywords: menopause, stress, social network, depression.