Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Menstrual Distress during Clinical Practice: A Q-Methodology Study

• Main Authors: Ya-Lin Fu, Chia-Ling Yang, Shu-Chuan Yu, Yun-Hsuan Lin, Hsiao-Pei Hsu, Chiu-Mieh Huang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: clinical practice; menstrual distress; nursing students; Q-methodology; northern Taiwan
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3160

This study aimed to explore the cluster patterns of female nursing students’ perceptions of the effects of menstrual distress during clinical practice. This study adopted the Q-methodology study design. We recruited female nursing students from a college in northern Taiwan. Forty-seven Q-statements were constructed to explore participants’ experiences of the impact of menstrual distress on clinical learning. In total, 58 participants subjectively ranked Q-statements concerning menstrual distress experiences during clinical practice and were classified. After Q-sorting, the subjective ranking process PQ Method (version 2.35, Schmolck, Emmendingen, Germany) was employed for factor analysis. Four patterns of shared perspectives, accounting for 46.6% of the total variance, were identified: (a) influencing clinical learning and making good use of painkillers; (b) responsible attitudes and diversified relief of discomfort; (c) seeking peer support and effect on mood; (d) negative impact on learning ability and conservative self-care. Clinical practice is a major component of nursing education; menstrual distress affects female nursing students’ clinical learning and performance. The exploration of clustering different nursing students’ perceptions may facilitate customized strategies to enable more appropriate assistance.