Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.18(4) > 1089432

Cho and Moon: Factors Influencing Attitude to Menstruation in Elementary School Girls according to the Presence of Menarche

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to attitudes to menstruation in elementary school girls according to menarche experience.

Methods

Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 208 girls in 5th or 6th grade (90 who were menarche and 118 who were not). The study was a cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression.

Results

There were significant differences in body image, menstrual knowledge and attitude between the two groups of students. Results from the multiple regression analysis revealed difference in related factors and in the magnitude of the relationship evaluated by standardized beta coefficients. Significant factors, listed by the magnitude of beta coefficients, among students in menarche were positive affect of menarche, self-oriented perfectionism-critical, negative affect of menarche. Significant factors among non-menarche students were menstrual knowledge and self-oriented perfectionism-critical.

Conclusion

There are differences between menarche and non-menarche girls in attitude to menstruation and related factors. Based on the results of the present study, systemic health education according to differences between the two groups should be developed to foster positive attitudes to menstruation.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Menstrual Attitude in Each Group by General Characteristics and Descriptive Statistics of Menarche Emotion and Support. (N=208)
kjwhn-18-302-i001
Table 2
Comparison of Perfectionism, Body Image, Menstrual Knowledge and Menstrual Attitude between Non-menarche Group and Menarche Group (N=208)
kjwhn-18-302-i002
Table 3
Relationships among the Study Variables (N=208)
kjwhn-18-302-i003

SOP-C=self-oriented perfectionism-critical; SOP-S=self-oriented perfectionism-striving; SPP=socially prescribed perfectionism; MG=menarche group.

Table 4
Predictors of Menstrual Attitude according to the Experience of Menarche (N=208)
kjwhn-18-302-i004

Summary Statement

▪ What is already known about this topic?
Attitude towards menstruation is a multidimensional phenomenon. Despite women perceiving menarche and menstruation as natural physiological life processes, menstruation was expressed negatively by women themselves. In literature, experiences at menarche, a pivotal developmental point in a girl's life, could potentially affect later menstrual attitudes. There has been little reported about the differences of menstrual attitude according to presence of menarche.
▪ What this paper adds?
There were significant differences in body image, menstrual knowledge and attitude between non-menarche and menarche students. Significant factors among menarche were positive affect of menarche, self-oriented perfectionism-critical, negative affect of menarche. Significant factors among non-menarche students were menstrual knowledge and self-oriented perfectionism-critical. In conclusion, considering different approaches according to menarche, systemic health education should be developed to promote positive attitudes to menstruation.
▪ Implications for practice, education and/or policy
The results of this study suggest that significance differences between menarche and non-menarche groups are of importance for girls in the development of a positive attitude to menstruation. The results of this study can provide a basis for nursing intervention development and emphasize the role of school health nurses to consider different approaches regarding menarche to improve attitudes of students.

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