Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in 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).

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Key information

Conditions

Premenstrual Syndrome Menstruation Disturbances Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Quality of Life Self Compassion

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Acibadem University

Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Sociodemographic, Menstrual, and Lifestyle Characteristics

Time frame: Baseline

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.
Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS)

Time frame: Baseline

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.
Premenstrual Syndrome-Specific Quality of Life Scale (PMS-QoL)

Time frame: Within approximately 1 week after baseline

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.
Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)

Time frame: Within approximately 1 week after baseline

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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Acibadem University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Jul 6, 2026
Registry last updated: Jul 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed