Exploring the Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in the Relationship between Rumination and Premenstrual Syndrome Severity

Abstract

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) effects many women in their reproductive years and often brings emotional, physical and behavioral changes that can make everyday life harder. While hormones are usually seen as the main cause, recent studies suggest that how women think and manage emotions might also influence how intense their PMS symptoms feel. This study explored how rumination repeatedly thinking about distressing thoughts might make PMS symptoms worse and whether cognitive flexibility the ability to shift and adapt one’s thinking could ease this impact. The study included 150 women aged 18 to 35 who completed self- report questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS and mediation analysis. Findings showed that women who tend to ruminate more also experienced more severe PMS symptoms. It also appeared that rumination was linked to lower levels of cognitive flexibility. However cognitive flexibility did not mediate the connection between rumination and PMS severity. Thus, overthinking seemed to have a direct impact on PMS symptoms and being mentally flexible didn’t change that link. These results highlight the importance of addressing unhelpful thinking patterns like rumination when supporting women dealing with PMS. They also suggest that other psychological factors might be involved and deserve further study to develop effective and culturally relevant mental health support.

Keywords: Premenstrual Syndrome, Rumination, Cognitive Flexibility, Emotional Well- being, Women’s Mental Health