Assessing Coping Mechanisms of Women during Midlife Crisis

This study investigates how various support systems, functioning as coping mechanisms, influence women’s adjustment during midlife crisis in selected local government areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. Midlife crisis in women often arises from physiological, psychological, and socio-relational stressors, including menopause, caregiving responsibilities, bereavement, and career disruptions. Despite the existing literature on midlife challenges, empirical research has focused little on how support systems facilitate adjustment among women during this transitional period. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 165 women aged 45–65 years through a structured questionnaire. Respondents were selected via a multistage sampling technique covering both urban and semi-urban LGAs. The instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.81 and captured socio-demographic variables, intensity of crisis manifestations, and available support systems. Descriptive statistics and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. Findings revealed a statistically significant difference in women’s adjustment based on their level of support systems (F (3, 161) = 12.417, p = 0.000). This implies that support systems such as family, friends, religious groups, and professional counselling significantly influence women’s ability to navigate the midlife crisis. The study concludes that strengthening support structures can promote emotional resilience and mental wellness among women undergoing midlife transitions. Recommendations include increased community-based support initiatives and counselling services tailored specifically for midlife women.