Evaluating the relative efficacy of a self-help and minimal psycho-educational intervention for moderate premenstrual distress conducted from a critical realist standpoint
Abstract
Previous research suggests that mild to moderate premenstrual symptoms (PMS) can be ameliorated by self‐help psycho‐educational support. However, it is unknown as to whether face‐to‐face contact with a clinician, through a minimal psycho‐educational intervention, can significantly increase the benefits of PMS self‐help packages, or whether self‐help packages can be effective on their own. In this pilot study, 32 women were randomized to one of two groups, self‐help pack alone, or self‐help pack with minimal psycho‐educational intervention. Twenty women completed the pre‐ and post‐intervention measures (11 self‐help group; nine psycho‐education group). Fourteen women, seven in each group, were randomly selected for pre‐ and post‐interviews. Both groups reported reduced anxiety and reduced life interference from PMS post‐intervention. The minimal intervention group reported a broader range of improvements, including significant reductions in depression and the extent to which PMS caused distress, and significant improvements in ability to cope with symptoms. Premenstrual change was still present post‐intervention, however, women reported reductions in distress, improvements in coping, and repositioning of PMS as something that could be ameliorated through changes in behaviour or thought patterns. This confirms the significant role played by the construction, attribution and appraisal of premenstrual changes on the development and course of premenstrual distress.
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The one-to-one intervention was based on a woman-centred PMDs CBT intervention previously demonstrated to be effective in reducing premenstrual distress in both a face-to-face and self-help modality.
“The one-to-one intervention was based on a woman-centred PMDs CBT intervention previously demonstrated to be effective in reducing premenstrual distress in both a face-to face [17] and self-help modality [56].”
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- Authors
- Ussher, J. M., & Perz, J.
- Affiliations
- Western Sydney University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Ussher, Jane M.
- Venue
- Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-11
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 347-362
- ISSN
- 0264-6838 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-672X
- OpenAlex
- W2052497742
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 2.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Menstrual Health and Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Keywords
- premenstrual distress, premenstrual syndrome, self-help intervention, psychoeducational intervention, face-to-face psychotherapy, critical realism, coping, depression, anxiety, life interference, women's health
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