Effects of Menstrual Symptoms on Social Appearance Anxiety in University Students

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to determine the effect of menstrual symptoms on social appearance anxiety in university students. Material and Method: This study was planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional study, and the sample consisted of 264 female students studying at a foundation university in Istanbul that provides education in the field of health sciences. Data were collected using an online survey method with a personal information form prepared by the literature, the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), and the Menstruation Symptom Scale (MSS). Participants evaluated the SAAS in two forms specific to the menstrual and non-menstrual periods. Results: The mean age of the participants was 18.93±1.12, and the mean total MSS score was 71.47±18.28. It was determined that a significant portion of the participants (76.5%) reported that their social lives were affected during the menstrual period. The social appearance anxiety scores during the menstrual period (SAAS 34.56±17.14) were found to be higher than those during the non-menstrual period (SAAS 32.54±16.43) (p<0.05). A significant and positive correlation was found between MSS and SAAS scores during the menstrual period (r=0.321, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study determined that menstrual symptoms negatively affect social appearance anxiety in university students. Menstrual symptoms may increase social appearance anxiety, leading to adverse effects on social life and mental well-being, which healthcare professionals should consider. In this regard, it is recommended that healthcare professionals adopt a supportive approach toward women and provide guidance on this issue.

Keywords

• Menstruation
• menstrual cycle
• body image

Kaynakça

1. Meng Y, Chang L, Hou L, et al. Menstrual attitude and social cognitive stress influence autonomic nervous system in women with premenstrual syndrome. Stress. 2022;25:87-96.
2. Ozgocer T, Ucar C, Yildiz S. Daily cortisol awakening response and menstrual symptoms in young females. Stress Health. 2022;38:57-68.
3. Weon HW, Son HK. An analysis of menstrual symptoms, menstrual attitudes, physical stress and psychological stress according to the menstrual cycle phase. Iran J Public Health. 2023;52:1161-9.
4. Wei SM, Schiller CE, Schmidt PJ, et al. The role of ovarian steroids in affective disorders. Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2018;23:103-12.
5. Allyn K, Seidman L, Evans S, et al. Impact of primary dysmenorrhea on self-image in adolescents and young adults. J Pain. 2019;20:S57-8.
6. Kvalem IL, Dahr Nygaard IM, Træen B, et al. Menstrual attitudes in adult women: a cross-sectional study on the association with menstruation factors, contraceptive use, genital self-image, and sexual openness. Womens Health (Lond). 2024;20:17455057241249553.
7. Ashar G, Kamat V. Relationship between attitude towards menstruation, self-esteem and social appearance anxiety among Indian cis-gendered women who menstruate. Indian J Ment Health. 2022;9:135-41.
8. Cash TF, Szymanski ML. The development and validation of the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire. J Pers Assess. 1995;64:466-77.

9. Ryan S, Ussher JM, Perz J. Women’s experiences of the premenstrual body: negotiating body shame, self-objectification, and menstrual shame. Womens Reprod Health. 2020;7:107-26.
10. Doğan T. Sosyal Görünüş Kaygısı Ölçeği’nin (SGKÖ) Türkçe uyarlaması: geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Hacettepe Univ Egit Fak Derg. 2010;39:151-9.
11. Yaşar Ö, Karaca PP, Aksu SÇ. Premenstrual syndrome and affecting variables in unıversity students. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilim Derg. 2019;8:147-52.
12. Chesney MA, Tasto DL. The development of the menstrual symptom questionnaire. Behav Res Ther. 1975;13:237-44.
13. Negriff S, Dorn LD, Hillman JB, Huang B. The measurement of menstrual symptoms: factor structure of the menstrual symptom questionnaire in adolescent girls. J Health Psychol. 2009;14:899-908.
14. Güvenç G, Seven M, Akyüz A. Adaptation of the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire into Turkish. TAF Prev Med Bull. 2014;13:367-74.
15. Özer E, Güvenç G. Determination of premenstrual syndrome-related factors in nursing students and investigation of their relationship with sleep quality. TOGÜ Sağlık Bilim Derg. 2023;3:184-97.
16. Tokat MA, Özberk H, Derin E, et al. The effect of cultural sensitivity and differences on premenstrual syndrome in nursing students. Sürekli Tıp Eğitimi Derg. 2024;33:253-62.
17. Bakır N, Beji NK. Premenstrual syndrome prevalence and affecting factors among university students. Inonu Univ J Health Sci Vocational Sch. 2021;9:264-77.
18. Chen L, Tang L, Guo S, et al. Primary dysmenorrhea and self-care strategies among Chinese college girls: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2019;9:e026813.
19. Hu Z, Tang L, Chen L, et al. Prevalence and risk factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea among Chinese female university students: a cross-sectional study. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2020;33:15-22.
20. Şener N, Taşhan ST. Evaluating the relationship between dysmenorrhea and personality traits in university students. Koç Univ J Nurs Educ Res. 2020;17:148-54.
21. Kartal YA, Kaykısız EY. Investigation of the relationship between eating behaviors and premenstrual syndrome symptoms of midwifery students in the COVID-19 outbreak. Medical Sciences (NWSAMS). 2020;15:133-43.
22. Koyucu RG, Ölmez R. Determination of premenstrual syndrome levels of faculty of health sciences students in COVID19 process. Acibadem Univ J Health Sci. 2021;12:496-501.
23. Nasser AM, Zhang X. Knowledge and factors related to smoking among university students at Hodeidah University, Yemen. Tob Induc Dis. 2019;17:42.
24. Erbaş N, Altunbaş N. According to some variables in girls a high school determining the premenstrual syndrome violence and perceped stress level. Acibadem Univ J Health Sci. 2021;12:479-86.
25. Parra-Fernández ML, Onieva-Zafra MD, Abreu-Sánchez A, et al. Management of primary dysmenorrhea among university students in the South of Spain and family influence. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17:5570.
26. Shehata NA, Arafa AE, El Wahed HAA, et al. Epidemiology of dysmenorrhea among university students in Egypt. Int J Womens Health Wellness. 2018;4:073.
27. Vlachou E, Owens DA, Lavdaniti M, et al. Prevalence, wellbeing, and symptoms of dysmenorrhea among university nursing students in Greece. Diseases. 2019;7:5.
28. Ezebialu IU, Ezenyeaku CC, Umeobika JC. Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its contribution to school absenteeism among Nigerian undergraduate students. Ann Health Res. 2021;7:59-66.
29. Bilir E, Yıldız Ş, Yakın K, Ata B. The impact of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome on academic performance of college students, and their willingness to seek help. Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;17:196-201.
30. Baltaş Z, Şevgin Ö, Hoşbaş BD. Telerehabilitation in primary dysmenorrhoea: a randomised controlled trial. İstanbul Gelişim Univ Sağlık Bilim Derg. 2023;21:806-18.
31. Bilgen FG, İpekçi NN. Determination of nursing students' menstrual health and genital hygıene behaviors according to their taking the obstetrics and general diseases nursing course: the case of Kilis province. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Univ Sağlık Bilim ve Araşt Derg. 2023;6:131-9.
32. Siyahtaş GF, Altay BN, Erdem M. The relationship between women's menstrual attitudes levels and menstruation symptoms. Turk J Fam Med Prim Care. 2024;18:426-32.
33. Ryan S, Ussher JM, Hawkey A. Mapping the abject: women's embodied experiences of premenstrual body dissatisfaction through body-mapping. Fem Psychol. 2022;32:199-223.
34. Cantoni C, Salaris A, Monti A, et al. Probing corporeal awareness in women through virtual reality induction of embreathment illusion. Sci Rep. 2024;14:9302.
35. McPherson ME, Korfine L. Menstruation across time: Menarche, menstrual attitudes, experiences, and behaviors. Womens Health Issues. 2004;14:193-200.
36. Thakur H, Pareek P, Sayyad MG, Otiv S. Association of premenstrual syndrome with adiposity and nutrient intake among young Indian women. Int J Womens Health. 2022:665-75.
37. Yunisari SZ, Panggayuh A, Kusmiwiyati A. The relationship of academic stress and body mass index (BMI) with premenstrual syndrome in class 9 students of SMPN 1 Sumberpucung. J Pendidikan Kesehatan. 2023;12:149-61.
38. Elvan A. Does premenstrual syndrome affect physical activity and quality of life? A cross-sectional study. J Exerc Ther Rehabil. 2023;10:115-21.