Does group counseling reduce PMS symptoms and depression, stress, and anxiety?

Objectives: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical, spiritual, and emotional symptoms, which periodically happens before the cycle. The current research aims to investigate the effect of group counseling on depression, stress, and anxiety of PMS. Materials and Methods: The current study is a randomized clinical control trial on 112 married women who experience PMS that makes them refer to health centers in Qazvin city. The samples were divided into two groups of 55 in control and 57 in the trial group, randomly. Three sessions of group counseling were held for the trial group, each session was 45 minutes long and including teaching about PMS and its symptoms, depression, stress, and anxiety caused by this syndrome, and also negative mood and stress management skills. Data were gathered by demographic information questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales 21, and PMS scale. Results: Initially, when starting the study, the results of the studied variables were homogeneous in both intervention and control groups. Moreover, no significant difference was seen in the severity level of PMS symptoms (P=0.70) and depression (P=0.61), stress (P=0.10), and anxiety (P=0.60) score before intervention in both groups. After intervention, the mean scores of severity of the PMS (P<0.001), depression (P<0.001), stress (P<0.001), and anxiety (P<0.001) in the intervention group significantly decreased. Conclusions: Group counseling caused a significant reduction in the severity of PMSs and depression, stress, and anxiety. Counseling protocol for reducing the severity of the PMS and treating depression recommended.

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