A STUDY ON THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG YOUNG ADULT FEMALES

Abstract

In the 21st century, one is still expected to circumvent menstrual phenomena during normative conversations. Due to this sustained saga of favored forestalling and evading this profoundly entrenched component of an individual’s life, awareness regarding menstrual hygiene, pain management, nutrition, overall wellness, and physiological healthcare suffers gravely. A grim deficiency of collective enquiry into psychological and hormonal fluctuations before, during and after menstruation, and their impact on an individual’s well-being is a matter of societal and humanitarian concern. Without a sensitized and informed approach towards the inalienable aspects that directly impact half the world population, any empirical probe into the holistic wellbeing and quality of life of menstruating individuals will linger abridged. A combination of symptoms that affect the physical and emotional well-being of most individuals with uteruses about a week or two before their period is known as Premenstrual Syndrome. The psychological health of an individual is allied with the intensity of the symptoms experienced and the level of social assistance they might receive throughout this duration. Emotional disturbance and suffering arising from the inability to cope with certain stressors and demands of everyday life is known as psychological distress. Perceived social support is the amount of expected material, emotional and general support during times of vulnerability. The study was conducted on 82 females within the reproductive age range of 18-26 years. Standardized scales of Premenstrual Syndrome, Psychological Distress, and Perceived Social Support were administered to the participants. The study found that Pre-Menstrual Syndrome and Psychological Distress were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.495, ** p < .01). However, no significant correlation emerged between Perceived Social Support and Psychological Distress, and Perceived Social Support and Premenstrual Syndrome. Devoting analytical acumen towards the intricate conditions prevailing menstrual experiences and comprehending the derived implications is instrumental in the conception of better living standards for the individual who menstruates, the one who is closely related to them, and the society.