What psychological and personal factors predict which university students will develop premenstrual syndrome?

Background: The incidence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in female students is a societal concern. Therefore, examining the predictors of PMS among adolescent girls is of great importance. Objectives: The present study aims to predict PMS in female university students based on anger, social support, childhood adversity, stress-related factors, menstrual attitudes, and sex role satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive analytical study was conducted. A total of 281 female students from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences were selected by random stratified sampling and cluster sampling. The demographic information form, Premenstrual Syndrome Symptom Screening Tool (PSST), Spielberger State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2-10-Item), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS-SF), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ), and Mothers’ Feelings, Thoughts, and Behaviors Acceptance as a Woman and Satisfaction with Sex Roles were completed. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, chi-squared test, univariate logistic regression (ULR), and multivariate logistic regression (MLR) with SPSS version 21 software. The significance level was set at less than 0.05. Results: Ninety-three students (33.1%) had PMS. There were significant relationships between variables such as the type of college, birth rank, irregular menstruation in the last few cycles, menstrual problems, and a history of menstrual problems among immediate family members and PMS (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were found between PMS and age, BMI, or education level (P < 0.05). Psychological variables such as anger trait, perceived social support, adverse childhood experiences, coping with stressful events, perceived stress, positive attitudes toward menstruation, and satisfaction with sex roles were recognized as predictors of PMS. Conclusions: Various psychological factors can influence the presence or absence of PMS among girls. It is highly recommended to investigate psychosocial variables in PMS sufferers, along with non-psychosocial variables, and to emphasize their importance for health care personnel. Strategies should be presented for reducing their effects through various scientific and psychological interventions for college students.

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