Increasing Self-Efficacy with Menstrual Management for Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness Using the Inclusive “U N ME” Education Program

The purpose of the study was to increase self-efficacy with the occupation of menstrual management in young adults experiencing homelessness using the "Understanding and Navigating Menstrual Experience" or "U N ME" program. The objectives of this study were a reported increase in self-efficacy with menstrual management, the development of the U N ME program, and to promote the spread of accurate information to other menstruators in the community. This study was a convergent parallel mixed-method study rooted in a phenomenological approach. The intervention featured four weekly workshops featuring education, group discussion, and an activity to tie the topic of the day to action. N = 22 participants. A pretest/posttest design was employed using a Modified General Self-Efficacy scale supplemented with data from open-ended responses from group discussions. A Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was conducted on the pre-workshop questionnaire (M = 3.89) and post-workshop questionnaire (M = 4.86) and found that there was evidence for a statistically significant difference between the two total scores, W = 68, z = -2.12, p = .034. Common themes found in the qualitative measures included comfort in discussing the topic of menstruation, a desire to learn more about menstruation, and the link between misinformation leading to negative experiences around menstruation. Results suggest the U N ME program increased participant’s understanding of and self- efficacy in menstrual management.