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.
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
Topics
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