The Relationship between Premenstrual Syndrome and Personality Types among Female Students of Bushehr Universities, Iran

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder in women that causes emotional، physical and behavioral dysfunctions، particularly in their family relationships، social and educational activities. Because of researchers are interested to identify factors associated with PMS، this study was done to determine the relationship between PMS and personality type in female students of Bushehr Universities.

In this cross-sectional study، 478 female students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences and Persian Gulf University were selected through census sampling in 2011. A series of valid and reliable questionnaire include “type A and B personality questionnaire” and an instrument for assess PMS symptom were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 15 and descriptive statistics tests، chi-square and ANOVA tests. P value less than 0. 05 was considered significant.

Moderate to severe Premenstrual Syndrome was reported in 92 students (32%) of Medical Sciences University and in 66 students (34. 8%) of Persian Gulf University. 237 students (85. 5%) with type A personality and 177 students (88%) with type B personality had PMS. Severity of syndrome in students with type B personality was significantly higher than students with type A personality (p<0. 02).

The severity of PMS is different in types A and B personality. The results of the study indicated that identifying personality characteristics should be considered in women’s health planning and dealing with them during PMS.