A Comparison of Self-esteem, Body Image, and Depression in Hysterectomized and Non-hysterectomized Iranian Women: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the factors that may affect women's body image and self-esteem and lead to serious psychological complications. Objective The study aimed to compare self-esteem, body image, and depression in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized Iranian women. Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 140 women of the reproductive age, who have undergone hysterectomy with benign causes, were compared in terms of self-esteem, body image, and depression with 140 women receiving medical treatment due to abnormal bleeding in educational and medical centers in Tabriz, Iran. Sampling was conducted by convenience method. Self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire, body image was assessed with the multi-dimensional body-self relations questionnaire, and depression was assessed with the Beck II depression inventory. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and general linear model. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of the body image in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women was 235.3 (28.5) and 250.1 (23.4) out of an achievable score of 69-395, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) self-esteem score for hysterectomized women was 20.4 (4.8) and it was 24.2 (3.4) in non-hysterectomized women (out of an achievable score of 0-30). The mean (standard deviation) depression score was 18.1 (9.7) and 5.5 (4.6) out of 0-63 in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women, respectively. The differences in self-esteem, body image, and depression variables were statistically significant in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the body image and self-esteem in hysterectomized women were low compared to non-hysterectomized women, while the level of depression was high, and this difference was statistically significant.