Evaluation of the effectiveness of coping with premenstrual symptoms education program based on information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model in university students

This study is a controlled intervention study in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Coping with Premenstrual Symptoms Education Program (CPSEP) which is based on Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) Model in university students. Also, The Premenstrual Coping Measure's (PCM) Turkish validity and reliability in university students are methodologically examined. Scale validity with language, context and structure validity methods; scale reliability with cronbach alpha reliability coefficient calculation and test-retest reliability coefficient methods are used with 364 students in the first step of the study. In the second step which the effectiveness of CPSEP based on IMB Model is evaluated, the intervention group consisted of 40 female students from the first year of the Nursing Department of Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University (n=115) who met the second stage inclusion criteria of the study. The control group consisted of 45 female students from the first year of Nursing Department of Ankara University (n=154) who met the second stage inclusion criteria of the study. Coping with Premenstrual Symptoms Education is given to the intervention group who were determined to have premenstrual symptoms using Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool and individual consultancy is given on first and second months after the training. No intervention is made to the control group. After the conclusion of the study's first step; it is determined that CPM which is consisting 27 articles and five sub-dimensions is valid and reliable for university students. Regular exercise (Intervention Group (I)=%57.5, Control Group (C)=%26.7), taking care of nutrition (I=%70, C=%42.2), communicating with family members and friends (I=%67.5, C=%37.8), relaxation exercises (I=%80, C=%55.6) and coping with stress (I=%65, C=%17.8) which are the behaviors to cope with premenstrual symptoms were found to be higher in the intervention group after CPSEP than in the control group (p<0.05). When CPM's sub-dimension point averages are examined; it is determined that the intervention group's Avoiding Harm (x̅Pretest=19.15±6.974, x̅Posttest=22.55±6.563), Awareness and Acceptance of Premenstrual Change (x̅Pretest=34.00±5.760, x̅Posttest=39.10±6.050), Self-Care (x̅Pretest=14.13±3.44, x̅Posttest=15.75±3.706) and Communication (x̅Pretest=9.90±3.020, x̅Posttest=12.90±4.056) sub-dimension point averages are higher than before the CPSEP (p<0.05). In this context, CPSEP which is based on IMB Model is effective on the gaining of coping behavior against some premenstrual symptoms to students and it is seen that PCM's usage as a valid and reliable measurement device for university students.