Scholarly open access journals, Peer-reviewed, and Refereed Journals, Impact factor 8.14 (Calculate by google scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool) , Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Indexing in all major database & Metadata, Citation Generator, Digital Object Identifier(DOI)
Background: The transition to higher education exposes young women to multiple stressors that may disrupt hormonal homeostasis and, consequently, menstrual physiology. Despite growing recognition of this relationship, empirical data from urban Indian undergraduate populations remain scarce.
Objective: To examine the association between perceived psychological stress and menstrual cycle disturbances in college-going female students aged 18–24 years attending a university in New Delhi, India.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was used. One hundred female undergraduates were recruited via random sampling. Perceived stress was quantified using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and dysmenorrhoea severity was assessed with the Working-ability, Location, Intensity, Days of pain, and Dysmenorrhoea (WaLIDD) score. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was computed using SPSS version 17 to explore bivariate relationships between stress and menstrual characteristics.
Results: The mean PSS score was 21.25 ± 5.39 (moderate stress category) and the mean WaLIDD score was 6.31 ± 2.11 (moderate dysmenorrhoea). A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was identified between perceived stress and menstrual cycle disturbances (r = 0.326, p < 0.01). Frequency analysis revealed that 74% of participants experienced moderate stress levels and 49% fell in the moderate dysmenorrhoea category.
Conclusion: Elevated perceived stress among college-going women is significantly associated with greater menstrual cycle disturbances. These findings highlight the need to integrate stress management programmes—including occupational therapy-led interventions—into campus health services.
Keywords:
Perceived stress · Menstrual cycle · Dysmenorrhoea · College students · Occupational therapy · PSS · WaLIDD
Cite Article:
"Perceived Stress and Menstrual Cycle Disturbances Among College-Going Female Students Aged 18–24 Years: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study", International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org), ISSN:2456-3315, Vol.11, Issue 6, page no.b181-b186, June-2026, Available :http://www.ijrti.org/papers/IJRTI2606129.pdf
Downloads:
00050
ISSN:
2456-3315 | IMPACT FACTOR: 8.14 Calculated By Google Scholar| ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 8.14 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator