The Development and Relevant Factors of a Self-Care Scale for Young Females with Dysmenorrhea

Abstract

The number of females who complain of dysmenorrhea has increased compared to 30 years ago; however, they are not good at performing self-care. Hence, we attempted to create a self-care scale for dysmenorrhea, and examine related factors. We investigated the factors which affect self-care for dysmenorrhea using qualitative surveys, and created 10 constituent concepts based on a revised Pender's health promotion model. Then, we conducted preliminary and main surveys, and a survey for the related factors. We obtained 23 items in 6 elements for a self-care scale for young females with dysmenorrhea, and confirmed the validity and reliability in the main survey and the survey on its related factors. In the survey for related factors, people with more serious dysmenorrhea were less willing to try to improve their symptoms and self-care. It became clear that their short weight loss plan was related to self-care. People who often eat many snacks or sweets had they felt it would be more difficult to improve their dysmenorrhea. We obtained 23 items in 6 elements for a self-care scale for young females with dysmenorrhea, and its reliability and validity were confirmed. As relevant factors, it was implied that the degree of their dysmenorrhea, their eating habits, sleeping habits were all co-related.