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Description

Associations have been found between psychological factors, such as pain self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, and fear, which can display negative effects on individuals' pain experience and poor treatment outcomes. Ineffective personal control has been associated with higher menstrual pain levels. It has been reported that between 56.4% - 90% of women have period pain, which is the main cause of their absenteeism from school and work. This directed study aimed to look at individuals' self-efficacy regarding their period pain management. The PelvPain study is a cross-sectional study among undergraduate students at Merrimack College. We included female undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 who experienced moderate to severe pelvic pain within the last six months. Participants were recruited through the SONA research platform and via flyers throughout campus. Analyses were conducted utilizing SPSS v30, with questions focusing on demographics, period pain severity, self–efficacy, and emotional and informational support systems. Spearman correlation was used to assess the associations between self-efficacy, emotional support, and informational support with period pain severity.

Additionally, two categories were created for the scores for self-efficacy, emotional support, and information support. T-tests were used to compare the severity of period pain between these two categories. Results from the Spearman correlations showed no significant association between self-efficacy, emotional support, and informational support with reported pelvic pain. Results for the t-tests were similar, showing no significant association between self-efficacy, emotional support, and informational support with period pain. Overall, no associations were found between self-efficacy, emotional support, and informational support with reported period pain severity.

Publication Date

4-30-2026

Keywords

menstrual pain, self-efficacy, pain management

Self-Efficacy, Emotional Support, and Informational Support In Relation to Period Pain Severity Among Undergraduate Students

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