Self-determination, premenstrual syndrome, and health-promoting lifestyle as factors influencing quality of life among Korean female nursing students: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: This study examined the associations of self-determination (SDT), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), health-promoting lifestyle (HPL), and satisfaction-related factors with quality of life (QoL) among nursing students.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 206 nursing students engaged in clinical practice, recruited from nine nursing colleges in Jeollabuk-do, Korea. Data were collected between July 1 and August 19, 2024. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed using SPSS version 26.0. SDT, PMS, HPL, satisfaction with economic status, and QoL were assessed using validated self-report questionnaires.Results: Factors significantly associated with QoL included HPL (β = .37, p < .001), SDT (β = .24, p < .001), PMS (β = −.21, p < .001), menstrual quantity (average vs. large) (β = .13, p = .028), satisfaction with nursing major (satisfied vs. dissatisfied) (β = −.11, p = .035), and satisfaction with economic status (satisfied vs. dissatisfied) (β = .16, p = .001). The overall regression model was statistically significant (F = 27.56, p < .001) and explained 61% of the variance in QoL.Conclusion: From a biological nursing perspective, physiological factors such as PMS and menstrual quantity, together with HPL and SDT, were significant correlates of QoL among nursing students, alongside satisfaction with academic major and economic status. These findings suggest that nursing education programs should promote HPL and SDT while providing systematic support for PMS management and economic stress reduction to enhance students’ QoL.