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Premenstrual Symptoms in Young Japanese Women: Agency, Communion and Lifestyle Habits

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine associations between the traits of agency and communion and the severity of premenstrual symptoms in young Japanese women, considering lifestyle habits. The participants were 512 Japanese female undergraduate students in the Kansai area (mean age = 18.5 years, SD = .9). The participants were assigned a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses showed that higher levels in unmitigated agency were positively associated with total scores of premenstrual symptoms, as well as subscales of concentration, behavioral change, water retention, negative affect and arousal. Higher levels in communion were also positively associated with water retention. However, these associations were attenuated when lifestyle habits were taken into account, except for communion, which remained positively associated with water retention. A psychological approach for gender-related traits could be effective in treating premenstrual symptoms.

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Acknowledgement

The author was grateful for Prof. Dohi, Shoin Women’s University, and Associate Prof. Kashio, Osaka University of Human Sciences, for their assistances on collecting the data.

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  1. Department of Nursing, Baika University, 2-19-5 Shukunosho, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567–8578, Japan

    Kumi Hirokawa

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  1. Kumi Hirokawa
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Correspondence to Kumi Hirokawa.

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Hirokawa, K. Premenstrual Symptoms in Young Japanese Women: Agency, Communion and Lifestyle Habits. Sex Roles 65, 56–68 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-011-9992-6

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