This cross-sectional survey research was undertaken to examine the degree of depression in postmenopausal women and to analyze the factors affecting that depression.

325 people from public health center in Inchon were surveyed as the subject of this study. Data collection was conducted through the use of questionnaires.

The above half of these sampled people were in depressed state (64.0%) and the mean score of depression was 12.71. There were significant differences in the depression state according to presence of spouse, economic level, exercise, and smoking. A positive correlation was found between depression and climacteric symptoms. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the most powerful predictor was climacteric symptom. Climacteric symptom, presence of spouse, smoking, and exercise accounted for 45% of the variance in postmenopausal women's depression.

Nurses are able to use these results to plan and implement nursing interventions for decreasing depression and consequent the improved quality of life in Korean postmenopausal women. Also, the nurses have to be more aware of the following groups; solitary women, low-income group and smokers, that they have higher mean score of depression.