Does childhood trauma cause worse PMS, and can social support help?

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common condition among women; however, its psychological correlates remain insufficiently understood. Evidence suggests that childhood trauma may be associated with increased vulnerability to PMS and more severe symptoms. Perceived social support may mitigate the negative consequences of early trauma; however, its role in PMS, particularly among Iranian women, has received limited attention. Objectives: This study examined whether perceived social support moderates the association between childhood trauma and PMS severity. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 629 women aged 18 - 45 years in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected between December 2023 and July 2024 using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed to test the proposed model. Results: Childhood trauma was significantly and positively associated with PMS severity, whereas perceived social support was significantly and negatively associated with both PMS severity and childhood trauma. Structural equation modeling further showed that perceived social support moderated the association between childhood trauma and PMS severity, such that higher perceived social support was linked to a weaker relationship between childhood trauma and PMS severity. Conclusions: These findings indicate that perceived social support is associated with a weaker association between childhood trauma and PMS severity. Attention to supportive resources and social networks may aid the development of preventive and intervention strategies for women with PMS.

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