Self-compassion and premenstrual syndrome symptoms in women: a descriptive correlational study

With the monthly menstrual cycle, women may experience physical, emotional, and behavioral changes, and these changes can significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life. Among these changes premenstrual syndrome represents a common and multifaceted condition characterized by a range of physical and psychological symptoms. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between self-compassion and women’s experience of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. This is a descriptive and correlational study and data were collected online through “Google Forms” by reaching women of reproductive age on social media platforms between December 2023 and December 2024. The study was conducted with 353 women who met the inclusion criteria. The data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) and the Self-Compassion Scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), tukey test, pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The mean total score of the women who participated in the study was found to be 133.49 and the mean total score of the self-compassion scale was found to be 2.91. The prevalence of PMS in women was 55%. There was a negative and highly significant relationship between the total score of the PMSS and the total score of the self-compassion scale (r: -0.700, p < 0.001). According to the results of the regression analysis, being married (β = 0.152) and self-compassion (β=-0.698) were significant predictors of PMSS. Together these two variables explained 49.5% of the variance in the total PMSS score. This study highlights self-compassion as an important psychological factor associated with women’s experience of premenstrual syndrome symptoms within a descriptive correlational framework.