The effectiveness of happiness training on quality of life in women with premenstrual syndrome: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial

• Published in: The journal of mental health training, education, and practice education, and practice, 2023-02, Vol.18 (2), p.158-170
• Main Authors: Tanhayi, Azize, Mirghafourvand, Mojgan, Kondori, Jafar, Moheb, Naiemeh, Malakutie, Jamileh, Hajizadeh, Khadije
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Clinical research; Clinical trials; Cognitive Restructuring; Cognitive tasks; Control Groups; Counseling; Data collection; Depression (Psychology); Education; Educational Counseling; Emotions; Females; Functional impairment; Happiness; Health surveys; Interpersonal communication; Interpersonal Relationship; Intervention; Job Satisfaction; Junior High Schools; Life Satisfaction; Linear analysis; Living Standards; Menstruation; Mental depression; Negative emotions; Nurses; Obstetrics; Pain; Personality Problems; Physical ability; Physical Health; PMS; Positive emotions; Premenstrual syndrome; Professional training; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Researchers; Resistance (Psychology); Sample size; Sampling; Social activities; Sociodemographics; Validity; Women; Womens health
• ISSN: 1755-6228; 1755-6228; 2042-8707
• DOI: 10.1108/JMHTEP-10-2020-0072

Purpose Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can disrupt women’s work process, social activities and interpersonal communication and lead to a lower quality of life (QOL). This study aims to determine the effectiveness of happiness training based on Fordyce’s theory on QOL and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in women with PMS. Design/methodology/approach This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 women (intervention = 50, control = 50). The intervention group participated in eight 120-min sessions of training counseling based on Fordyce happiness training. The participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the PANAS and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). A general linear model was used to compare the mean scores of QOL and positive and negative affect after the intervention. Findings After the intervention, the mean scores of negative affect [MD = −6.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −12.10 to −1.49] and body pain (MD = −26.19; 95% CI = −38.63 to −13.72) were significantly lower in the intervention compared to the control group. Also, the mean scores of physical functioning (MD = 42.0; 95% CI = 16.37 to 67.64) and vitality (MD = 10.40; 95% CI = 4.86 to 15.39) were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the controls. Practical implications Fordyce happiness training is recommended to be used in conjunction with other supportive and caregiving methods for women with PMS. Midwifes and nurses are the main source to give this training to women and can help them perform cognitive tasks, such as concentration, positive thinking and negative emotions. Originality/value This randomized controlled trial suggests Fordyce happiness training as a feasible and acceptable training program that can be beneficial in reducing negative affect in women with PMS.