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Living with Pain and Looking for a Safe Environment: A Qualitative Study among Nursing Students with Dysmenorrhea

Author

Listed:
  • Elia Fernández-Martínez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Avenida Tres de Marzo s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • Ana Abreu-Sánchez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Avenida Tres de Marzo s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • Jorge Pérez-Corrales

    (Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum&QRinHS), Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain)

  • Javier Ruiz-Castillo

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Avenida Tres de Marzo s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • Juan Francisco Velarde-García

    (Department of Nursing, Red Cross College, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Calle Reina Victoria 28, 28003 Madrid, Spain)

  • Domingo Palacios-Ceña

    (Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum&QRinHS), Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain)

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea refers to chronic pain associated with menstruation that is often accompanied by other symptoms. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) occurs without any associated pelvic disease. Nonetheless, it may negatively affect women’s quality of life. Among university students, dysmenorrhea decreases academic performance and is a cause of absenteeism. The purposes of our study were to describe how nursing students experienced PD and the changes affecting their body and mood. A qualitative case study was performed among 33 nursing students with PD. Data were collected through five focus groups (with two sessions each) and 10 researchers’ field notes. We used a video meeting platform to conduct the focus groups. A thematic analysis was performed, and the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research and the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines were followed. Three main themes emerged from the data: (a) living with dysmenorrhea, with two subthemes: menstruation and pain; (b) body changes and mood swings; and (c) seeking a safe environment, with three subthemes: safe environment, unsafe environment, and key safety aspects. Students considered menstruation to be negative and limiting, causing physical and mood changes, making them feel less attractive, and conditioning their way of dressing and relating.

Suggested Citation

  • Elia Fernández-Martínez & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Jorge Pérez-Corrales & Javier Ruiz-Castillo & Juan Francisco Velarde-García & Domingo Palacios-Ceña, 2020. "Living with Pain and Looking for a Safe Environment: A Qualitative Study among Nursing Students with Dysmenorrhea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-15, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6670-:d:413030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen X Chen & Carol Shieh & Claire B Draucker & Janet S Carpenter, 2018. "Reasons women do not seek health care for dysmenorrhea," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1-2), pages 301-308, January.
    2. Zofia Barcikowska & Elżbieta Rajkowska-Labon & Magdalena Emilia Grzybowska & Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon & Katarzyna Zorena, 2020. "Inflammatory Markers in Dysmenorrhea and Therapeutic Options," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-14, February.
    3. María Laura Parra-Fernández & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo & María Teresa Iglesias-López & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea among University Students in the South of Spain and Family Influence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Seear, Kate, 2009. "The etiquette of endometriosis: Stigmatisation, menstrual concealment and the diagnostic delay," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1220-1227, October.
    5. Elia Fernández-Martínez & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María Laura Parra-Fernández, 2019. "The Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Quality of Life Among Spanish Female University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-12, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elia Fernández-Martínez & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Juan Francisco Velarde-García & María Teresa Iglesias-López & Jorge Pérez-Corrales & Domingo Palacios-Ceña, 2020. "Living with Restrictions. The Perspective of Nursing Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Ya-Lin Fu & Chia-Ling Yang & Shu-Chuan Yu & Yun-Hsuan Lin & Hsiao-Pei Hsu & Chiu-Mieh Huang, 2021. "Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Menstrual Distress during Clinical Practice: A Q-Methodology Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-10, March.

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