Female students' Menstrual Experiences and Self-Affirmation : The relationship between menarche education, subsequent menstrual experiences, and self-affirmation

Abstract

This study, utilizing a newly created self-affirmation scale taking the culture of Japan into consideration, undertook to investigate the relationship between female students' menstrual experiences starting from the time of menarche education and their self-affirmation. As a result, it was observed that an attitude of family celebration expressed at time of menarche, as well as promotion of positive image of menstruation and proactive behavior in handling menstruation, and its mitigation of attendant symptoms or difficulties tended to increase self-affirmation. This reconfirmed the significance of celebration and of possessing an awareness of menarche as a significant milestone in achieving a higher developmental stage. Furthermore, in order for students to successfully acquire skills in independently handling and proactively addressing problems of menstruation, it was observed that in addition to menarche education, school, family, and regional cooperation in undertaking menstruation education responsive to developmental stage and menstrual maturity was also necessary.