Nursing Students' Perceptions of Menstrual Distress during Clinical Practice: A Q-Methodology Study.

Ya-Lin Fu,Chia-Ling Yang,Shu-Chuan Yu,Hsiao-Pei Hsu,Yun-Hsuan Lin,Chiu-Mieh Huang

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063160

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the cluster patterns of female nursing students’ perceptions of the effects of menstrual distress during clinical practice. This study adopted the Q-methodology study design. We recruited female nursing students from a college in northern Taiwan. Forty-seven Q-statements were constructed to explore participants’ experiences of the impact of menstrual distress on clinical learning. In total, 58 participants subjectively ranked Q-statements concerning menstrual distress experiences during clinical practice and were classified. After Q-sorting, the subjective ranking process PQ Method (version 2.35, Schmolck, Emmendingen, Germany) was employed for factor analysis. Four patterns of shared perspectives, accounting for 46.6% of the total variance, were identified: (a) influencing clinical learning and making good use of painkillers; (b) responsible attitudes and diversified relief of discomfort; (c) seeking peer support and effect on mood; (d) negative impact on learning ability and conservative self-care. Clinical practice is a major component of nursing education; menstrual distress affects female nursing students’ clinical learning and performance. The exploration of clustering different nursing students’ perceptions may facilitate customized strategies to enable more appropriate assistance.

Highlights

Menstrual distress affects female nursing students and influences their education and performance during clinical training
A study focused on absenteeism during menstruation among Spanish nursing students revealed that the most common symptoms of menstrual discomfort in nursing students were bloating, dysmenorrhea, irritability, and fatigue [2]
Clinical practice experience and performance were rated negatively: “I become impatient when listening to the demands of patients or their families” (+4); “I lose my enthusiasm to perform nursing tasks” (+4); and “I cannot care for my patients” (+3)

Summary

Introduction

Menstrual distress affects female nursing students and influences their education and performance during clinical training. A study on Turkish nursing students found that severe symptoms of menstrual discomfort resulted in a decrease in activities, an increase in tension, proneness to anger, hip and abdominal pain, backache, headache, and fatigue [3]. It even affects their alexithymia [4]. Nursing students believe that symptoms of menstruation cause physical discomfort and mood changes, but are negative and limiting in that they make students feel less attractive [5]

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Conclusion