Relationship between Mindfulness and Premenstrual Syndrome among Faculty Nursing Students

Tayel, Anwaar Mohamed; Fouad, Neama Mohamed; Masoud, Ayat Omar; Mousa, Amal Awad

doi:10.21608/asalexu.2018.207760

Relationship between Mindfulness and Premenstrual Syndrome among Faculty Nursing Students

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

¹ Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University

² Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

³ Maternity and New Natal Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University

⁴ Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University

10.21608/asalexu.2018.207760

Abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex set of symptoms which include physical,
psychological and behavioral changes of varying severity. These symptoms can interfere with the lives
of the affected females, as well as their interpersonal relationships. Researches reveal a sound
influence of mindfulness on the mind, somatic aspect, and conduct, claiming that educating a further
mindful way of being is related to fewer psychological suffering, more optimistic condition of mind,
and improved quality of life. Despite the existence of many experimental studies revealing the
consequences of cognitive mindfulness-based therapy on the premenstrual tension, few studies
attempted to study the relation between mindfulness level and premenstrual symptoms severity among
affected women. Objective: Examine the relation between mindfulness level and premenstrual
syndrome among faculty nursing students. Setting: The study was conducted on nursing students at
the Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University. Subjects: A sample of 291 nursing students was
chosen by simple random sampling method. Tools: Two questionnaires were used namely; Five
Factors Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and a modified version of Premenstrual Symptoms
Screening Tool for clinicians (PMSST) in addition to socio-demographic data and menstrual history
structured interview schedule. Results: Study findings indicated that the only statistical significant
relation was present between mindfulness and behavioral symptoms. However, no statistical
significant relationships were found between mindfulness and total score of premenstrual symptoms as
well as the rest of subscales of premenstrual symptoms. Conclusion: Mindfulness is significantly
related to behavioral premenstrual symptoms. Recommendations: Mindfulness training can be used
to address premenstrual behavioral symptoms.

Keywords