BMC Public Health. 2026 Jul 21. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-28553-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Academic achievement anxiety is a common psychosocial stressor among university students and may be associated with menstrual health outcomes. However, limited research has examined the relationships between academic achievement anxiety, perceived stress, menstrual pain, and menstrual hygiene behaviors simultaneously in female university populations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 307 female university students in Turkiye (mean age = 20.59 ± 2.02 years). Participants completed online self-report measures assessing academic achievement anxiety, perceived stress, menstrual pain severity and menstrual hygiene behaviors. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations and regression analyses were conducted to examine associations among the variables.
RESULTS: Academic achievement anxiety was positively associated with perceived stress and menstrual pain and negatively associated with genital hygiene behaviors. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that these associations remained significant after controlling for relevant covariates, including age, income level, menstrual regularity, and faculty. Academic achievement anxiety emerged as a significant predictor of perceived stress(β = 0.315, p < 0.001), menstrual pain (β = 0.211, p < 0.001), and genital hygiene behaviors (β = -0.126, p = 0.026).
CONCLUSION: Academic achievement anxiety was associated with higher perceived stress, increased menstrual pain and slightly less optimal menstrual hygiene practices among female university students. However, these associations were modest, suggesting that academic-related stress may represent one of several factors related to menstrual health outcomes. Addressing academic-related stress within a broader context that includes psychological and structural factors may support student wellbeing. Future research should further explore these relationships using more comprehensive designs.
PMID:42477642 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-28553-0
