Coping strategy in adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: Application of the Construal Level Theory and the Precaution Adoption Process Model

Abstract

This study aimed to apply the construal level theory (CLT) to increase the relaxation adoption as a coping behavior in adolescents with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The theory offers a framework that assumes decision-making about adoption of any given behavior depends on perceived temporal distance from the desired or recommended behavior and thus individual might perceive any information or intervention, at two levels (low or high). In doing so, a trial was conducted on 1578 high school students suffering from PMS. The precaution adoption process model was applied to categorize students in six stages, based on their intention to adopt a behavior. The focus of this study was on students who were in stage 3 of the model (undecided to adopt a behavior that was relaxation). Overall, 411 students were identified and randomly assigned to the three study groups: group 1 (n = 98) who received a CLT-driven intervention containing detailed information about relaxation (low-level construal, LLC); group 2 (n = 150) who received a CTL-driven intervention containing general information about relaxation (high-level construal, HLC); and group 3 (n = 163) who received nothing (control group). The progression from stage 3 toward stage 6 (action) was considered as the desired outcome and it was hypothesized that LLC intervention would be more effective than HLC intervention. Compared to participants in the control group, participants in the high and low construal groups were significantly more likely to advance to the action stage (P < 0.001). In addition, students in the low construal group had made an apparent higher stage progression as compared to the high construal group, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.33). The findings suggest that, for people who are undecided to adopt a new health action, LLC intervention might be more effective.

A path analysis of stress and premenstrual symptoms in Korean international and Korean domestic students

“…relaxation skills) (Delara et al . , Ussher & Perz ) or types of coping strategies (Ussher & Perz , Read et al . ).…”

If you want to save, focus on the forest rather than on trees. The effects of shifts in levels of construal on saving decisions

“…It has been shown that influencing one’s mind-set might be successfully applied as an intervention supporting trade-offs between actions that should be done and actions that are desirable. The effectiveness of these kinds of interventions has been demonstrated in various domains, such as promoting reduction of smoking [ 54 ], encouraging more positive recycling intentions [ 55 ], maximising goal-related behavior in the environmental domain [ 56 ] and increasing the adoption of relaxation as a coping behavior [ 57 ]. In the domain of personal finances, a construal level intervention was shown to promote a later planned retirement age [ 58 ].…”

Behind the wheel: community consultation informs adaptation of safe-transport program for older drivers

“…The Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) [ 34 , 35 ] was used to determine stage of precaution adoption for each older driver allowing the educator to tailor the education to meet the needs of the driver. Utility of the PAPM framework has been shown in previous studies of health-behaviour adoption [ 34 , 38 – 40 ] and paediatric injury prevention [ 41 ]. It has also been used to explore the process of driving cessation and self-regulation among older drivers [ 42 ].…”