Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Nursing Students With Premenstrual Syndrome

The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in the Association Between Premenstrual Symptom Severity and Premenstrual Syndrome-Specific Quality of Life Among Nursing Students With Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common menstrual disorders among women of reproductive age and is characterized by recurrent physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. These symptoms may adversely affect academic performance, daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life. Although previous studies have demonstrated that greater premenstrual symptom severity is associated with poorer quality of life, the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. Self-compassion, defined as a compassionate and nonjudgmental attitude toward oneself during times of difficulty, has been identified as a protective psychological factor associated with better emotional well-being and adaptive coping. However, its mediating role in the relationship between premenstrual symptom severity and premenstrual syndrome-specific quality of life has not been adequately investigated. This cross-sectional study aims to examine the association between premenstrual symptom severity and premenstrual syndrome-specific quality of life and to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion among nursing students who meet the study criteria for PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome Scale score ≥110).

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Quality of Life; Premenstrual Syndrome; Self Compassion

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 123

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ph. D. (c); Phone Number: +902165004429; Email: guzin.unlu@acibadem.edu.tr

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Ataşehir
    • Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Recruiting
      • Acibadem University
      • Contact: Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ph. D. (c); Phone Number: +902165004429; Email: guzin.unlu@acibadem.edu.tr
      • Sub-Investigator: Merve Coşkun, Ph. D.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Female undergraduate nursing students aged 18-25 years with premenstrual syndrome, defined as a Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) score of 110 or higher, who meet the study eligibility criteria.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female nursing students aged 18 to 25 years.
• Regular menstrual cycles.
• Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) total score of 110 or higher, indicating premenstrual syndrome according to the established cut-off value.
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Receiving ongoing physician-prescribed pharmacological treatment for premenstrual syndrome (e.g., oral contraceptives, hormonal therapy, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
• Irregular menstrual cycles.
• History of chronic medical disease.
• History of psychiatric disorders.
• Incomplete study questionnaires.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Nursing Students Meeting the Study Criteria for PMS; Female nursing students aged 18-25 years with Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) scores ≥110 who meet the study eligibility criteria.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sociodemographic, Menstrual, and Lifestyle Characteristics	Sociodemographic, menstrual, reproductive, and lifestyle characteristics will be collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of 20 items. The questionnaire includes information on age, academic year, menstrual history, menstrual pain characteristics, premenstrual syndrome history, analgesic use, sleep characteristics, caffeine consumption, fast-food consumption, sugar intake, and other lifestyle-related factors.	Baseline
Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS)	Premenstrual symptom severity will be assessed using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). The PMSS is a 44-item self-report instrument consisting of nine subscales (depressive affect, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, depressive thoughts, pain, appetite changes, sleep changes, and bloating). Total scores range from 44 to 220, with higher scores indicating greater premenstrual symptom severity. In accordance with the original scale, a total PMSS score of 110 or higher, representing the established cut-off for premenstrual syndrome, will be used as an eligibility criterion for study enrollment.	Baseline
Premenstrual Syndrome-Specific Quality of Life Scale (PMS-QoL)	Premenstrual syndrome-specific quality of life will be assessed using the Premenstrual Syndrome-Specific Quality of Life Scale (PMS-QoL). The PMS-QoL is a 22-item self-report instrument consisting of three domains: physical well-being, emotional well-being, and social well-being. Higher scores indicate better premenstrual syndrome-specific quality of life.	Within approximately 1 week after baseline
Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)	Self-compassion will be assessed using the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). The SCS is a 26-item self-report instrument comprising six dimensions: self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and over-identification. Higher scores indicate greater self-compassion.	Within approximately 1 week after baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Acibadem University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Neff, K. D. (2003). Development and validation of a scale to measure self- compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223-250.
• Branecka-Wozniak D, Cymbaluk-Ploska A, Kurzawa R. The impact of premenstrual syndrome on women's quality of life - a myth or a fact? Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Jan;26(2):598-609. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202201_27887.
• Victor FF, Souza AI, Barreiros CDT, Barros JLN, Silva FACD, Ferreira ALCG. Quality of Life among University Students with Premenstrual Syndrome. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2019 May;41(5):312-317. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1688709. Epub 2019 Jun 10.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/premenstrual-syndrome
• Guldu, E. T. C., & Canbay, F. C. (2025). Prevalence and risk factors of premenstrual syndrome in Turkey: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 18(1), 190.
• Celik B, Tektas P. Self-compassion and premenstrual syndrome symptoms in women: a descriptive correlational study. BMC Womens Health. 2026 Feb 12;26(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s12905-026-04338-w.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 26, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 29, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 29, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 6, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 29, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Quality of life; Premenstrual Syndrome; Self Compassion
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Menstruation Disturbances; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Premenstrual Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2026-11/131

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: De-identified individual participant data will be available upon reasonable request to the corresponding investigator.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No