Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Achievement, and Coping Strategy among Young Female Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to explore the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on depression, anxiety, stress, achievement, and coping strategy among young female students with primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and method: Design: Quasi experimental (pre-post) research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at the Technical Nursing Institute- Mansoura University from November 2020 to January 2021. Participants: Purposive sampling as used to divide 116 young female nursing students into two groups (intervention arm and non-intervention arm), who completed the study after implementing a cognitive behavioral therapy program with 12 weekly sessions on the intervention arm. Tools: Four tools were used for data collection Interview Questionnaire Schedule, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), Numerical pain scale and coping mechanism scale. Results: Post intervention, there were statistically significant differences between the two arms regarding depression (P = 0.009), anxiety (P = 0.044), stress (P = 0.003), and coping strategies including ignoring pain (P ≤ 0.001), physical exercise (P ≤ 0.001), using home remedies (P = 0.047), and hot application (P = 0.013), between the two arms. Conclusion: Cognitive behavior therapy had a positive effect on pain intensity, poor concentration, and restriction in physical activities, social withdrawal, mood swing and academic achievement. Moreover, there was a significant change in depression, anxiety, stress, and coping mechanism with primary dysmenorrhea. Recommendations: Stress on the importance of cognitive behavior therapy sessions had a positive effect on psychological status and educational sessions, for young female nursing students, can be an efficient method to increase awareness and prevent delays in diagnosis