Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2008 Dec;14(4):314-322. 10.4069/kjwhn.2008.14.4.314.

Impact of Perfectionism and Testing Anxiety on the Menstrual Cycle during Test Evaluations among High School Girls

• Lee HK

• KMID: 2307986
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2008.14.4.314

Abstract

PURPOSE: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecologic complaints of young women. This study investigated the changes in the menstrual cycle during test evaluations according to perfectionism and testing anxiety among high school girls in order to provide information for care of dysmenorrhea. METHOD: Data collection was done from July 14 to 18, 2008 by self administered questionnaires with 300 high school girls. RESULT: The subjects experienced amenorrhea (35.3%), changes in the menstrual cycle (66.3%), changes in menstrual duration (50.0%), changes in amount of menstruation (47.7%), and increases in menstrual pain during testing evaluations. There were significant differences in changes of menstrual patterns, physical symptoms, and menstrual pain during test evaluations between a high perfectionist group and low perfectionist group. Also, there were significant differences in changes of menstrual patterns, physical symptoms, and menstrual pain during test evaluations between a high testing anxiety group and low testing anxiety group. Perfectionism and testing anxiety showed a positive relationship with changes in menstrual patterns, physical symptoms, and menstrual pain.
CONCLUSION
As perfectionism and testing anxiety seem to contribute to changes in the menstrual cycle during test evaluations, school health-care providers should screen routinely for dysmenorrhea and give more attention to health education on this topic to girls.

Keyword

Perfectionism; Testing anxiety; Changes of the menstrual conditions

MeSH Terms

Amenorrhea
Anxiety
Data Collection
Dysmenorrhea
Female
Health Education
Humans
Menstrual Cycle
Menstruation
Surveys and Questionnaires

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