Mediating effect of suicidal ideation in the association between child abuse and premenstrual syndrome among female adults.

INTRODUCTION: Premenstrual symptoms encompass a range of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that cyclically occur before menstruation. Childhood abuse has been associated with subsequent mental health challenges, yet its relationship with exacerbating premenstrual symptoms remains an understudied area. Furthermore, suicidal ideation often emerges from traumatic backgrounds such as child abuse, creating another layer of complexity. Given the rising suicide rates in Lebanon, and the concurrent increase in reported child abuse cases, this research focuses on the role of suicidal ideation as a mediator between child abuse and premenstrual syndrome. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 915 female university students in Lebanon. Participants completed an online questionnaire encompassing demographic details, health lifestyle, the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and Child Abuse Self Report Scale (CASRS-12). The mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS MACRO v3.4 model 4; three pathways derived from this analysis: pathway A from the independent variable to the mediator, pathway B from the mediator to the dependent variable, Pathway C indicating the direct effect from the independent to the dependent variable. RESULTS: The results of the mediation analysis showed that suicidal ideation mediated the association between all types of child abuse and the presence of PMS. Higher psychological (Beta = 0.21; p < 0.001), neglect (Beta = 0.02; p = 0.017), physical (Beta = 0.19; p < 0.001) and sexual (Beta = 0.20, p < 0.001) child abuse were significantly associated with higher suicidal ideation, which was significantly associated with the presence of PMS (Beta = 0.38, p = 0.001; Beta = 0.57, p < 0.001; Beta = 0.45, p < 0.001; and Beta = 0.50, p < 0.001) respectively. Finally, higher psychological (Beta = 0.17, p < 0.001), physical (Beta = 0.11, p = 0.024), but not sexual (Beta = 0.07, p = 0.198) child abuse was directly and significantly associated with the presence of PMS, whereas higher neglect (Beta = -0.06, p = 0.007) was significantly associated lower odds of having PMS. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the mediating role of suicidal ideation in the complex association between different types of childhood abuse and premenstrual symptoms. The findings emphasize the need for trauma-informed care and tailored interventions to address the diverse impact of these factors. Recognizing the intricate relationships between child abuse, suicidal ideation, and PMS can aid healthcare providers in comprehensively addressing young women's mental and reproductive well-being. Trauma-informed care, tailored interventions and awareness of potential connections between childhood maltreatment are essential in managing these complex challenges.

Association between endometriosis and sexual satisfaction among a sample of lebanese women.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a complex disease that affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age. It is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus and often results in symptoms such as pelvic pain and infertility. This condition may disturb mental health and decrease both the mental and physical health related quality of life of women. The aim of this study was to assess the emotional state and the intimate relational aspect of life in Lebanese women living with endometriosis. METHODS: This is a case-control study that included 317 women (65 participants with endometriosis and 252 controls (1:3 ratio)). Participants completed an online survey that included questions related to endometriosis, Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women, Couple Satisfaction Index, Perceived Partner Responsiveness Scale and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. RESULTS: A significantly higher mean sexual satisfaction score was found in women without endometriosis compared to those with endometriosis (90.83 vs. 83.42; p = 0.006). No significant difference was found in terms of couple satisfaction, depression, anxiety, stress, and perceived partner responsiveness between the two groups. Higher couple satisfaction (Beta = 1.30) and perceived partner responsiveness (Beta = 0.16) were significantly associated with higher sexual satisfaction, whereas higher depression (Beta=-1.70) and having endometriosis compared to not (Beta=-6.51) were significantly associated with lower sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This study validated the link between endometriosis and sexual satisfaction and invalidated the association between endometriosis and emotional state, as well as couple satisfaction and perceived partner responsiveness. Greater sexual satisfaction was, however, linked to greater perceived partner responsiveness and greater couple satisfaction, as well as decreased signs of depression, anxiety, and stress. More research is warranted to better understand how Lebanese women are coping with the disease and how clinicians may help them further.