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Exploration of Life Stress, Fatigue, and Self-care Practices in Middle-aged Married
Professional Women

P. Hou 1

Department of Nursing, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Chinese
1
Taipei

Background: Middle-aged married professional women often face physical and mental fatigue due
to pressures from the workplace and family roles, which can impact their health. Self-care during this
stage is a key behavior for a healthy transition into old age.

Objective: This study hypothesizes that among middle-aged married professional women aged
45-64, increased life stress correlates with increased fatigue and decreased self-care. The aim is
to understand the current situation and correlations between “life stress, fatigue level, and self-care
behavior” within this group.

Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from 192 women in Taiwan using a structured
questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using mean, standard deviation,
independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression.

Results: The study found that Life stress (M=2.67, SD=0.68), fatigue (M=3.67, SD=0.98), and self-care
behavior are moderately high (M=3.44, SD=0.54). “Economic pressure” scored highest in life stress
(M=3.26, SD=1.15), “subjective fatigue experience” in fatigue (M=3.97, SD=1.22), and “positive thinking” in
self-care behavior (M=3.78, SD=0.74). As “life stress” increases, “fatigue level” also increases (.53***),
and as “life stress” or “fatigue level” increases, “self-care” behavior decreases (-.14*,-.43***). Life stress
and fatigue explain 27.1% of self-care behavior. Analysis reveals “self-perceived health status” is linked
with “life stress” and “fatigue” (p < .001). Those with “poor self-perceived health status” experience
higher stress and fatigue. Additionally, “age” correlates with “fatigue” (p < .01), with 45-55 year olds
Poster Presentation Abstracts
reporting more fatigue than those over 56.

Conclusion: The self-care behavior of middle-aged professional women is tied to life stress and
fatigue. Health promotion should focus on stress regulation and fatigue recovery, especially for those
aged 45-55. “Poor self-perceived health status” may be a key factor in health decline. Future research
should further explore this group for precise interventions.

Keywords: fatigue, life stress, middle-ages, self-care, women

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Correspondence: Pen-Hsin Hou, Department of Nursing, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing,
and Management, Chinese Taipei
E-mail: s160@mail.mkc.edu.tw

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