Ways of coping with premenstrual change: development and validation of a premenstrual coping measure

Abstract

BackgroundNegative premenstrual change can result in distress for a significant proportion of women. Previous research has suggested that women employ a range of coping strategies and behaviours in order to manage and reduce premenstrual distress. However, as yet there has been no specific scale available to measure premenstrual coping. This research aimed to develop and validate a measure of premenstrual coping which can be used in future investigations of negative premenstrual experience.MethodsA sample of 250 women living in Australia, reporting mild to severe premenstrual distress, completed an online survey containing 64 items related to premenstrual coping. The items were generated by reviewing past literature related to premenstrual experience, in particular recent qualitative research on premenstrual coping. A principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation was conducted to determine item clusters that would form a measure. Reliability and validity were tested using calculations of Cronbach alphas, correlational analysis with psychological coping scales and a content analysis of participant reports of coping strategies.ResultsThe factor analysis, which involved two principal component analyses, resulted in five factors containing 32 premenstrual coping behaviours. Interpretation of the factor solution drew on empirical and theoretical accounts of premenstrual coping and the emergent factors were labelled Avoiding Harm, Awareness and Acceptance of Premenstrual Change, Adjusting Energy, Self-Care, and Communicating. These factors form the subscales of the Premenstrual Coping Measure (PMCM). The subscales demonstrated acceptable to very good reliability and tests of construct, concurrent and content validity were supportive of sound validity.ConclusionsThe PMCM provides a valid and reliable scale for quantifying ways of coping specific to negative premenstrual change. Conceptual similarity was found between some coping behaviours and behaviours positioned as symptoms of premenstrual change. Explanations for this overlap may be found in cultural discourses associated with idealised femininity and PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Further psychometric investigation of the PMCM will enhance knowledge of the role of coping with negative premenstrual experience.

Prevalence of swallowing dysfunction screened in Swedish cohort of COPD patients

“…Men and women also differ in the clinical symptoms. Men often report more sputum production, whereas health-related quality of life is lower for women than for men with COPD 27. However, in terms of swallowing capacity and dysphagia burden, we found no significant gender differences.…”

Premenstrual Syndrome and Work Among Female Academic Teaching Staff in Agovernmental Faculty of Medicine in Egypt

“…For example, previous literature has indicated that women who experience premenstrual changes can use social withdrawal as means of coping. Such so called 'maladaptive' premenstrual coping processes can appear in such forms as social withdrawal and avoidance of situations (Read et al, 2014). These withdrawals and avoidances may explain what was found in the sample studied here.…”

“…It is argued that PMS can lead some women to experience high sensitivity to different external stress and emotions, which can make normal life responsibilities more troublesome than usual (Read et al, 2014). It could be that work-related stress, the quality of the work environment, non-cooperative work organization and other work stresses (in addition to any other life stresses) could be contributing to these adverse effects on work capacity and job performance, and explain the results of work being perceived as making symptoms worse with PMS symptoms.…”

Adherence and the Lie in a HIV Prevention Clinical Trial

“…Satisfaction is reflected by high study retention rates: 91% of women remained in the study suggesting that they valued participating in the trial (Marrazzo et al 2015). Participants extolled the regular health check-ups, HIV testing, and the quality of care received at the clinic and welcomed the travel stipends (ZAR150 = USD $15) disbursed at each visit, but often complained about the lengthy waiting times during clinic consultations (Magazi et al 2014). …”