Relationship between the Presence of Social Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome and Psychological Flexibility

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between social symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and psychological flexibility. Participants answered a questionnaire to screen women with suspected PMS and four questionnaires about psychological flexibility. The participants were divided into three groups based on their answers to the questionnaires: disturbed, undisturbed, and control. First, to eliminate confounding factors (physical and psychological symptoms of PMS), we conducted an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on the difference in scores for each questionnaire regarding psychological flexibility between the disturbed and the undisturbed groups. Thereafter, a t-test was conducted on the differences in the scores between the undisturbed and control groups. Consequently, the defusing exercise, which is one of the core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be an effective for treating the social symptoms of PMS.