J Korean Acad Nurs.  2007 Oct;37(6):1003-1012.

Relationships Between Sex Role Identity, Health Promoting Behaviors, and Premenstrual Symptoms Among Female University Students

• Kim HW

Abstract

PURPOSE: The role of sex role identity types and health promoting behaviors in relation to premenstrual symptoms and interrelatedness among the three variables were examined. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was employed with 327 female university students. KSRI, HPLP, and MDQ were used as measurement tools. RESULTS: Four types of sex role identities were classified; undifferentiated(33.7%), androgyny (32.7%), masculinity(16.8%), and femininity(16.8%) in order. Premenstrual symptoms(F=3.11, p= .027) and health promoting behaviors(F=12.74, p= .000) were significantly different by sex role identity types. As determinants of premenstrual symptoms, health promoting behaviors for all subjects, stress coping for the feminine type, and interpersonal relationships for the undifferentiated type were identified. In discriminating between the feminine type and undifferentiated type, premenstrual symptoms and self responsibility were shown as significant factors. CONCLUSION: Interrelatedness among sex role identity, health promoting behaviors and premenstrual symptoms imply the importance of a psychosocial aspect in premenstrual symptoms. Therefore, these three variables should be applied more specifically for nursing assessment and management of women having premenstrual symptoms.

Keyword

Premenstrual syndrome; Gender identity; Health behavior; Health promotion

MeSH Terms

Adult
Attitude to Health
Demography
Female
*Gender Identity
*Health Behavior
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Promotion
Humans
Premenstrual Syndrome/*psychology
Questionnaires
Students/*psychology
Universities