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.
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
Topics
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?