INTRODUCTION:

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical, emotional and behavioural symptom that start during the week preceding menstruation and are alleviated when the menstrual flow begins. The symptoms present a cyclic and recurrent character with variable in quality and intensity. (P. Padmavathi, S. Raja Sankar, N. Kokilavani., 2014)

World Health Organization has defined adolescence as a period between 10-19 years.

In Indian context, adolescents constitute over 21.4% of the total population and this age group needs special attention because this period is very crucial since these are the formative years in the life of an individual when major physical, psychological and behavioral changes take place and additional roles and responsibilities are expected from them. (P. Padmavathi, 2013).

P. Padmavathi, S. RajaSankar, N. Kokilavani., (2012). Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome among Adolescent girls, findings revealed that the majority (54%) of the samples had mild PMS, 28% as moderate and 18% of them had severe PMS. 88% were experiencing abdominal discomfort as a most common premenstrual symptom, 86% fatigue, 82% low back pain, Irritability, mood swings, 80% generalized aches and pains, Joint and muscle pain Poor concentration, social withdrawal, restlessness, decreased interest in activities, 74% anxiety, forgetfulness, 62% headache, insomnia, 60% depression, 58% nausea, 54% increased perspiration, increased body temperature 42% vomiting, 34% breast tenderness, 22% diarrhea, increased appetite changes, depression, 12% hypersomnia 8% constipation, food cravings, 4% swelling in the extremities, weight gain, suicidal ideation, confusion. PMS is highly prevalent among female students. The present study has been under taken to find out the symptoms of PMS and coping behaviour among adolescent.

Statement of the problem:

A descriptive study to assess the premenstrual syndrome and coping behaviour among adolescent girls in selected school, Erode

Objectives:

1. To assess the premenstrual syndrome and coping behaviour among adolescent girls

2. To find out the association between premenstrual syndrome and coping behavior scores among adolescents girls with their demographic variables

Hypothesis:

H₁ There will be significant association between premenstrual syndrome and coping behavior scores among adolescent girls with their demographic variables

Assumption:

The study assume that,

§ Premenstrual symptoms are common among adolescent girls.

§ Premenstrual syndrome is a major cause of less academic performance and school absenteeism among students who suffer from the same.

Delimitations

The study is limited to,

1. Correlate premenstrual syndrome and coping behaviour among adolescents.

2. Adolescent girls who were present at the time of data collection.

3. Adolescent girls who were willing to participated in the study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Research approach

Research that explores the interrelationships among variables of interest without intervention on the part of the researcher is a correlation study. In the present study, the investigator intended to correlate the premenstrual symptoms and coping behaviour

Research design

The research design selected for the present study was descriptive design. The present study attempts to correlate the study premenstrual symptoms and coping behaviour among adolescent girls. Therefore a correlational survey was found to be an appropriate research design.

Variables

Research variable - Premenstrual symptoms and coping behaviour

Associate variable- Selected background factors

Research setting

The study was conducted in Government Higher secondary school, Erode

Population

The population for the present study was all the adolescent girls between the age group of 14 – 18 years in selected school, Erode

Sample

The sample consisted of 175 adolescent girls studying in Government Higher secondary school, Erode.

Sampling technique: Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study.

Development of tool

A baseline Proforma, Check list on premenstrual symptoms and coping behaviour was prepared with the help of review of literature, personal experience and discussion with experts.

Description of the tool

Section A: Baseline Proforma

It contained items for obtaining information regarding age, age at menarche and duration of cycle

Section B: Checklist on common premenstrual symptoms

It consisted of 15 items in 3 different areas. The subjects had to tick mark in the relevant column based on the present and absent.

Section C: Check list on coping behaviour

Data collection procedure

The data on premenstrual symptoms and coping behaviour from adolescent girls are studying at Government Higher secondary school. The data were collected for 2 weeks in the month of December 2013. Permission was sought and obtaining from school headmaster. The adolescent girls were selected using stratified random sampling method among those who fulfilled the sample selection. Informed consent was obtained from the adolescent girls. The questionnaires were given to the adolescent girls regarding premenstrual symptoms and coping behaviour separately. Confidentiality of the information shared was assured. The adolescent girls were co operative. On an average, it took 20 minutes to complete one sample.

Plan for data analysis

The data were analysed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics

Ø Baseline proforma of the samples were described by frequency and percentage distribution

Ø Premenstrual syndrome and coping behaviour among adolescents girls are analyzed by using frequency and percentage

Ø To find out the association between premenstrual syndrome and coping behaviour scores among adolescents girls with their demographic variables were analyzed by using chi – square test

RESULTS:

Section A: Most (80%) of the adolescents girls were in the age group of 13 -15 years. However 75 % of the adolescents’ girls attained menarche at the age of 12 -15 years, 71% of adolescents girls were in 20 -25 days cycle and 63% of the taking self treatment.

Section B: Frequency and percentage distribution of premenstrual symptoms among adolescents girls

Premenstrual symptoms	Frequency (Percentage)
Lower abdomen pain	169 (96%)
Back Ache	152 (87%)
Irritability	142 (81%)
Tension	82 (47%)
Fluctuation of Mood	137 (78%)
Lower efficiency of work performance	142 (81 %)
Restlessness	84 (48%)
Pain in thighs	153 (87%)
Distraction from work	112 (64%)
Breast Tenderness	146 (83%)
Easy crying	83 (47%)
Difficulty in concentration	162 (93%)
Body Ache	153 (87%)
Avoid Social Activity	76 (43%)
Lack of self control	123 (70%)

Section C:Frequency and percentage distribution of coping behavior among adolescents girls

Adaptive Coping Behaviour	Frequency (Percentage)
Don’t blame themselves	147 (84%)
Accept PMS as natural process nothing can be done	124 ( 71%)
Take hot/ cold drink	123(70%)
Don’t express anger on other	112(64%)
Turn to study & forget things	94 (53%)
Talk to family members	83(47%)

Section D:

The findings show that there was no significant association between premenstrual symptoms and coping behaviour with their background factors of adolescent girls.

DISCUSSION:

It is an accepted fact that menstruation is a normal physiological impact in each girl’s life. Premenstrual syndrome is the primary reason by women to miss work, school or college. Sometime their symptoms are so severe that she needs medical care. The present study was conducted on 175 students of Government Higher Secondary school, Erode, reported that most (80%) of the adolescents girls were in the age group of 13 -15 years, 75 % of them menarche at the age of 12 -15 years, 71% of adolescents girls were in 20 -25 days cycle and 63% of the taking self-treatment.

Majority (96%) students were having pain in lower abdomen, 93% were having difficulty in concentration, 87% had backache, pain in thighs & body ache. 83% of them had pain in breast, 81% were irritability and lower work performance and 78% were fluctuation of mood. Brooks Israel study (1984) shows that 90% of girls are expected to experience pain during this period Abraham Studied among 1,367 young Australian women age 14-19 years showed that 54%women experience irritability, 40%abdominal bloating as premenstrual syndromes 12. In present study 96% were having lower abdomen pain, &81% were having irritability. In present study mostly students used adapted behavior to cope up with these problems. Majority of student were using healthy coping strategies. i.e., 84% do not blame themselves for this problem, 71% accept it in healthy way that nothing can be done, 70% take hot or cold drinks. 64% do not express their anger on others. They accept it as a natural process as nothing can be done and try to cope up in healthy way.

CONCLUSION:

It was concluded from the findings of the study that majority of students were having lower abdomen pain, backache, irritability, fluctuation of mood. Minorities of students were having symptoms like tension, restlessness, easy crying and avoid social activity. In order to overcome it majority of students adopts healthy coping strategies for these problem. i.e., do not blame themselves, They accept it as natural process as nothing can be done. They take hot drinks to feel better. They do not express their anger on others.

There was no significant association (P > 0.05) between the premenstrual symptoms and coping mechanism among adolescent girls with their demographic variables.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. A study can be conducted with large samples to generalize the findings.

2. A comparative study can be done between urban and rural adolescent girls.

3. A comparative study can be done between married and unmarried women.

REFERENCES:

1. Navdeep Kaur, Ramesh Thakur, A descriptive study to assess the premenstrual syndrome and coping behaviour among nursing students, NINE, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Nursing and Midwifery Research Journal, Vol-5, No . 1, January 2009

2. Premenstrual Syndrome. Premenstrual Syndrome Britannica online Encyclopedia EiJe:/ /G:\Premenstraul Syndrome Britannica online Encyclopedia.htm 2008; 1-4.

3. Padmavathi, S. RajaSankar, N. Kokilavani., Premenstrual symptoms and academic performance among adolescent girls - Vol.4; Issue: 2; February 2014

4. Padmavathi, S. Raja Sankar, N. Kokilavani., A Study on the Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome among adolescent Girls in a Selected School at Erode– Asian J. Nursing Edu. and Research 2(3): July-Sept. 2012

5. Padmavathi, Premenstrual symptoms – TNNMC JMHN Vol I/Issue 2/ Jul – Dec. 2013 , Page 28

Received on 16.05.2014 Modified on 06.06.2014

Asian J. Nur. Edu. and Research 4(4): Oct.- Dec., 2014; Page 489-491