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

Elia Fernández-Martínez, Ana Abreu-Sánchez, Jorge Pérez-Corrales, Javier Ruiz-Castillo, Juan Francisco Velarde-García and Domingo Palacios-Ceña
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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

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-15

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.

Keywords: dysmenorrhea; pelvic pain; nursing students; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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