Beyond the Visible: The Relationship Between Social Appearance Anxiety, Hopelessness, and Depression in Women with Urinary Incontinence

Objective This study aims to examine the relationship between the severity of urinary incontinence and levels of social appearance anxiety, hopelessness, and depression in women. Methods A total of 393 women participated in this descriptive and correlational study. Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, Incontinence Severity Index (ISI), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results Of the participants, 46.3% reported moderate social appearance anxiety, while 25.2% had severe depression. The mean BHS score was 8.80 +/- 5.63. No significant correlation was found between the severity of incontinence and social appearance anxiety (p > 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between the BDI and BHS scores (p < 0.001). A one-unit increase in age was associated with a 0.172 (B) increase in incontinence severity, and a one-unit increase in BDI score was linked to a 0.137 (B) increase in incontinence severity. Conclusions The results suggest that increasing age is associated with greater severity of urinary incontinence. Higher incontinence severity is also correlated with higher levels of hopelessness and depression. The psychological impact of urinary incontinence on women's mental health should be addressed, and referrals to psychiatric care should be considered when necessary for a comprehensive treatment approach.