Comparison of Mental Health of Female Students with Early, Late, and Normal Menarche in Isfahan, Iran

The changes that occur in the female body with the onset of menstruation affect the psychological components, including mental health. This study aimed to compare the mental healthof adolescent females with early, late, and normal menarche.

This descriptive study was conducted based on a causal-comparative design. The statistical population included 9- to 17-year-old female students in Isfahan, Iran, who were selected through multistage random cluster sampling. The sample size was determined at 56, 37, and 43 cases in the group of students with normal, early, and late menarche, respectively. The data were collected using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist for school-aged children (age range: 3-18 years) (Jelink, Murphy, and Burns, 1986). Following that, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25) through a covariance test.

According to the results, no significant difference was observed between the two groups of female students with normal and early menarche regarding mental health and its subscales. However, the adolescent females with late menarche had better mental health, compared to those with early and normal menarche (P<0.01).

Based on the results, it seems that the timing of the onset of menstruation affects mental health. The late menarche is associated with fewer mental health problems.