---
title: Does a happiness training program help women with PMS feel better mentally and improve relationships?
description: Yes. In 40 women with PMS, those who took a 6-week happiness training program improved in mental health and marital satisfaction, while the control group did
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-fordyce-happiness-training-on-marital-satisfaction-and-mental-2023/
---

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- Does a happiness training program help women with PMS feel better mentally and improve relationships?

Randomised trial, 2023

# Does a happiness training program help women with PMS feel better mentally and improve relationships?

Yes. In 40 women with PMS, those who took a 6-week happiness training program improved in mental health and marital satisfaction, while the control group did not. Benefits lasted at least 45 days.

 Early or limited evidence

40 women in Iran with premenstrual syndrome, average age 32-33 years

## What they did

An RCT with 40 women in Iran with PMS (20 per group, average age about 32). The treatment group received 6 weekly sessions of Fordyce happiness training in groups of 10. Mental health and marital satisfaction were measured before training, right after training, and 45 days later.

## What they found

In the training group, mental health scores went from 43.95 to 41.20 to 40.25 (lower scores are better), and marital satisfaction went from 81.90 to 86.35 to 86.80 (higher scores are better). The control group showed no change. Time and the group effect both significantly predicted improvements in both measures.

## What it means for you

A structured happiness training program may help women with PMS manage mood and improve their relationships. However the study is small (20 women per group) and took place in one location. It is unclear how much improvement matters in everyday life.

40

women with PMS

6

weekly training sessions

45

days of follow-up

## About the study

Original title The effect of Fordyce happiness training on marital satisfaction and mental health in women with premenstrual syndrome Authors Fereshteh Abdolrahmi, Marzieh Kaboudi, Hamid Kamerzarin et al. Journal Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery Year 2023 Study design Randomised trial Participants 40 What was tested Six weekly sessions of Fordyce happiness training in groups of 10 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.32598/jhnm.33.1.2273](https://doi.org/10.32598/jhnm.33.1.2273)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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