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Survey study, 2026

How does PMS affect test anxiety in nursing students?

PMS was linked to higher test anxiety both directly and indirectly through delaying sleep and reduced ability to pay attention. The indirect pathway through sleep delays and attention difficulties accounted for 50% of the link between PMS and test anxiety.

Moderate study design 791 female nursing students from 8 medical and health colleges in China

What they did

Researchers surveyed 791 female nursing students from 8 colleges in China. Students filled out questionnaires about PMS symptoms, how often they delayed sleep, ability to focus, and test anxiety. Researchers analyzed the connections between these factors.

What they found

PMS was connected to higher test anxiety both directly and through delayed sleep and attention problems. The pathway through delayed sleep and reduced attention accounted for 50% of the total effect of PMS on test anxiety.

What it means for you

For nursing students with PMS, the symptoms may increase test anxiety both directly and by disrupting sleep and focus. Addressing sleep and attention problems might help reduce test anxiety in students with PMS. This is a cross-sectional study of students in China, so results may not apply to all populations.

791

students studied

50%

of PMS-test anxiety link through sleep and attention

About the study

Original title
Bedtime Procrastination and Attention as Serial Mediators Between Premenstrual Syndrome and Test Anxiety in Nursing College Students: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors
Li Y, Liu M, Ji C
Journal
Psychology research and behavior management
Year
2026
Study design
Survey study
Participants
791
What was tested
None
Open access
Yes

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