---
title: Do social workers understand PMS and PMDD and how does this affect their assessment of mothers?
description: Social workers scored 60.5% on average on a PMS/PMDD knowledge test, and only 5.1% asked about these conditions when assessing mothers.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/how-much-do-canadian-social-workers-know-about-premenstrual-syndrome-and-2024/
---

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- Do social workers understand PMS and PMDD and how does this affect their assessment of mothers?

Survey study, 2024

# Do social workers understand PMS and PMDD and how does this affect their assessment of mothers?

Social workers scored 60.5% on average on a PMS/PMDD knowledge test, and only 5.1% asked about these conditions when assessing mothers.

 Early or limited evidence

521 Canadian social workers

## What they did

Researchers surveyed 521 Canadian social workers using a knowledge questionnaire about PMS and PMDD to see what they knew and whether they addressed these conditions when assessing mothering ability.

## What they found

Average knowledge score was 60.5%. Social workers were least knowledgeable about SSRI treatments and suicide rates. Only 5.1% of social workers asked about PMS/PMDD when assessing mothers. Those with their own premenstrual symptoms had higher knowledge scores.

## What it means for you

Many social workers may not recognize how PMS/PMDD affects mothers and parenting, which could mean mothers suffering from these conditions don't get appropriate support in assessments. Results are from Canada only.

521

social workers surveyed

60.5%

average knowledge score

5.1%

asked about PMS/PMDD in assessments

## About the study

Original title HOW MUCH DO CANADIAN SOCIAL WORKERS KNOW ABOUT PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME AND PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER, AND DOES THIS AFFECT THEIR ASSESSMENT OF MOTHERS? Authors Lynn Barry, Leslie Maureen Tutty Journal Canadian social work review Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 521 What was tested Knowledge questionnaire (PEKQ) Read the paper [doi.org/10.7202/1108986ar](https://doi.org/10.7202/1108986ar)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Review, 2019

What is the current evidence for diagnosing and treating PMDD, especially in Indian women?

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Systematic review, 2013

Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Review, 2008

What medications are FDA-approved for treating PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2000

How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated?

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