Exploring the health-related quality of life of women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Date
2023-11
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a condition marked by its cyclical nature in symptom expression during the late luteal phase. Approximately 2 % - 8% of the adult female population have PMDD. Quantitative studies have shown the impact of PMDD symptoms on quality of life (QOL), but there are no qualitative studies reporting on this. In this presentation, I present findings of the first qualitative study that explored QOL among women with PMDD. Participants were 27 females with self-reported PMDD. Data were collected using a phenomenological research approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analysed in ATLAS t.i. Thematic analysis was used to explore women’s Health related quality of life (HRQoL) and four main themes emerged; (1) Culture surrounding premenstrual distress disorders, (2) Psychological functioning and PMDD, (3) Interpersonal relationships and PMDD, and (4) Healthcare and PMDD. The findings highlight the impact of PMDD on a number of factors associated with HRQoL particularly women’s self-concept, interpersonal relationships, occupational responsibilities and psychological well-being. The results also highlight the importance of diagnosis in women’s PMDD journey as it facilitates in self-awareness, interpersonal relationship understanding and contributes to better healthcare experiences. Several findings of this study are not apparent in current research which indicates the need for additional research evaluating the impact of PMDD. The findings provide insight into the female experience of PMDD and recommendations for healthcare and mental health practitioners are provided.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Premenstruele disforiese versteuring (PMDD) is 'n toestand wat tydens die laat luteale fase gekenmerk word deur sy sikliese aard in simptoomuitdrukking. Ongeveer 2% - 8% van die volwasse vroulike populasie het PMDD. Kwantitatiewe studies het die impak van PMDD simptome op gesondheidsverwante lewenskwaliteit (HRQoL) getoon, maar daar is geen kwalitatiewe studies wat hieroor verslag doen nie. In hierdie tesis bied ek bevindinge aan van die eerste kwalitatiewe studie wat HRQoL onder vroue met PMDD ondersoek het. Deelnemers was 27 vroue met self-gerapporteerde PMDD. Data was ingesamel deur gebruik te maak van 'n fenomenologiese navorsingstegniek waar ek semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude gevoer het. Onderhoude is getranskribeer en ontleed in ATLAS t.i. Ek het tematiese analises gebruik om vroue se HRQoL te verken en vier hooftemas het na vore gekom; (1) Kultuur rondom premenstruele noodversteurings, (2) Sielkundige funksionering en PMDD, (3) Interpersoonlike verhoudings en PMDD, en (4) Gesondheidsorg en PMDD. Die bevindinge beklemtoon die impak van PMDD op 'n aantal faktore wat met HRQoL geassosieer word, veral vroue se selfkonsep, interpersoonlike verhoudings, beroepsverantwoordelikhede en sielkundige welstand. Die resultate beklemtoon ook die belangrikheid van diagnose in vroue se PMDD-reis aangesien dit in selfbewustheid, interpersoonlike verhoudingsbegrip fasiliteer en bydra tot beter gesondheidsorgervarings. Verskeie bevindinge van hierdie studie is nie duidelik sigbaar in huidige navorsing nie, wat dui op die behoefte aan bykomende navorsing wat die impak van PMDD evalueer. Die bevindinge bied ‘n insig in die vroulike ervaring van PMDD en aanbevelings vir gesondheidsorg en geestesgesondheidspraktisyns word verskaf.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.
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