--- title: Does self-injury or difficult childhood experiences increase PMDD risk in adolescents? description: Yes. This study found clear relationships between self-injurious behavior and PMDD, and between adverse childhood experiences and PMDD in adolescent girls, su url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/self-injurious-behavior-and-adverse-childhood-experiences-as-factors-in-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does self-injury or difficult childhood experiences increase PMDD risk in adolescents? Survey study, 2026 # Does self-injury or difficult childhood experiences increase PMDD risk in adolescents? Yes. This study found clear relationships between self-injurious behavior and PMDD, and between adverse childhood experiences and PMDD in adolescent girls, suggesting both are risk factors. Early or limited evidence 303 adolescent girls from secondary schools in Nsukka Urban, Nigeria ## What they did Researchers recruited 303 adolescent girls from secondary schools in Nigeria using convenience sampling. They collected data with questionnaires about self-harm, PMDD symptoms, and childhood trauma experiences. They analyzed the relationships between these factors. ## What they found The study found a clear relationship between self-injurious behavior and PMDD and a clear relationship between adverse childhood experiences and PMDD. Both associations were found to be significant, suggesting self-harm and past trauma may both be linked to PMDD risk in teenagers. ## What it means for you The findings suggest that self-harm and past trauma may increase PMDD risk in teenage girls. However, the study measured everything at one point in time, so we cannot confirm that trauma causes PMDD. The findings are from one area of Nigeria and may not apply to all adolescents. 303 Adolescent girls studied ## About the study Original title Self-Injurious Behavior and Adverse Childhood Experiences as Factors in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder among In-school Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa Authors Juliet Ifeoma Nwufo Journal Psychology and Mental Health Care Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 303 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.31579/2637-8892/364](https://doi.org/10.31579/2637-8892/364) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[PTSD and trauma](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ptsd-trauma/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms? Survey study, 2025 What psychological and personal factors predict which university students will develop premenstrual syndrome? Survey study, 2026 Why is understanding PMS awareness in teenage girls important? Survey study, 2024 What factors are linked to PMDD in female university students? Survey study, 2017 Is PMS linked to personality temperament types? Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗