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We investigated dysmenorrhea, rumination, substance use and perceived stress as predictors of PMDD among women. We used a cross-sectional design and convenience sampling to recruit participants at a university in South Africa. A total of 1329 female students participated in the study. Data was collected using an online survey. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, Premenstrual Screening Tool, Drug Use Disorders Identification Test, Adapted Ruminative Response Scale, Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Descriptive analysis, correlations and logistic regression analysis were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A total of 135 participants screened positive for PMDD symptoms, indicating a prevalence rate of 10.2% for PMDD symptoms. The model predicted 90% of the cases correctly. Congestive dysmenorrhea, brooding, reflection and worry were identified as significant predictors of positive PMDD symptoms. Oral contraceptive use, spasmodic dysmenorrhea, perceived stress and drug use were not significant predictors. We recommend the development of a CBT based intervention targeting rumination in women with PMDD and education-based interventions regarding dysmenorrhea and PMDD among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student pregnancy is not only a growing concern in South Africa but also an international challenge which could result in disruptive tendencies such as substance abuse, prostitution and suicide. The aim of the current study was to explore the psychological stressors experienced by unmarried pregnant students at the University of Venda in South Africa. The study used a qualitative research design. The sample comprised 10 participants and data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews using an interview guide and analyzed by using thematic content analysis. Results indicated that students' pregnancies were mainly influenced by students' poor socio-economic status, peer pressure, lack of parent-student communication, ignorance as well as the negative attitude of the campus health-care professionals. Loneliness, emotional distress, difficulty in disclosing the pregnancy were the psychological stressors associated with students' pregnancies. The current study confirmed that unplanned pregnancies are stressful for pregnant students in a situation where there is a lack of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]