Development and Validation of Menopausal Symptoms Scale (MSS) for Pakistani Sample

Abstract

The study aimed to develop a valid and reliable indigenous measure to assess menopausal symptoms in Pakistani women. The Menopausal Symptoms Scale (MSS) was developed using empirically generated items presented on a four-point Likert scale. The study involved 250 women aged 40-60 years. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure: somatic and vasomotor symptoms, depression, cognitive symptoms, and anxiety. The MSS demonstrated satisfactory construct validity, as it effectively discriminated between premenopausal and peri-menopausal women. Additionally, the scale exhibited high internal consistency reliability (α = 0.89). The MSS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the health-related quality of life of women experiencing menopause in Pakistan.