--- title: Does psychological distress explain why PMS reduces well-being? description: Possibly. Psychological distress accounted for 78.7% of the connection between PMS and reduced well-being in adolescent girls. However, this cross-sectional s url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-psychological-well-being-among-adolescent-girls-the-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does psychological distress explain why PMS reduces well-being? Cohort study, 2026 # Does psychological distress explain why PMS reduces well-being? Possibly. Psychological distress accounted for 78.7% of the connection between PMS and reduced well-being in adolescent girls. However, this cross-sectional study cannot prove cause and effect. Early or limited evidence 350 adolescent girls aged 13-17 from private schools in Bangalore, India ## What they did Researchers studied 350 adolescent girls aged 13-17 from private schools in Bangalore, India. They measured PMS screening status using a standardized tool, and assessed psychological distress and well-being using validated questionnaires. ## What they found Girls with PMS screening positive status had more psychological distress and lower well-being. Psychological distress explained 78.7% of the connection between PMS status and reduced well-being. The model explained 23.0% of the overall variation in well-being. ## What it means for you The study suggests psychological distress may be an important link between PMS and lower well-being in adolescent girls. However, because the study measured everyone at one point in time, it cannot prove that distress causes lower well-being. 350 girls in study 78.7% of association through distress 23.0% of variance in well-being explained ## About the study Original title Premenstrual Syndrome and Psychological Well-Being Among Adolescent Girls: The Indirect Role of Psychological Distress in a Cross-Sectional Study Authors Keziah Mary Sam, Hementhakumara V Journal Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Year 2026 Study design Cohort study Participants 350 What was tested None; this was an observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.33700/jhrs.5.2.252](https://doi.org/10.33700/jhrs.5.2.252) Original abstract Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is associated with psychological distress and reduced well-being among adolescent girls. However, the extent to which distress statistically accounts for the association between PMS screening status and eudaimonic psychological well-being remains insufficiently examined in Indian adolescents. Aim: To examine whether psychological distress is associated with the indirect statistical pathway linking PMS screening status with psychological well-being among adolescent girls in Bangalore, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 350 adolescent girls aged 13–17 years from private schools in Bangalore. PMS screening status was assessed using the PSST-A, while psychological distress and well-being were measured using the DASS-Y and PWBS-SDCP, respectively. A bootstrapped path-analytic indirect-association model was estimated using lavaan in R with 5,000 resamples and bias-corrected 95% confidence intervals. Results: PMS screening status was positively associated with distress (rpb = .46, p < .001) and negatively associated with well-being (rpb = −.26, p < .001). The indirect association through distress was significant (β = −.21, B = −10.46, 95% CI [−13.98, −7.57], p < .001), accounting for 78.7% of the total association. The direct association was not significant (β = −.06, B = −2.82, p = .291). The model explained 23.0% of the variance in well-being. Conclusions: Psychological distress statistically accounted for a substantial proportion of the cross-sectional association between PMS screening status and well-being. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings indicate a statistical indirect association rather than a temporal or causal mediation mechanism and should inform future longitudinal research. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Cohort study, 2022 Does body size during childhood affect the risk of premenstrual disorders later? Systematic review, 2020 How common is PMS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia? Randomised trial, 2004 Which low-dose birth control pill has better cycle control and fewer side effects? 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