PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES PERCEIVED WHILE HAVING MENSTRUATION TOWARDS INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS AT BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Menstruation, defined as the monthly discharge of blood and other materials from the uterine lining, is a natural biological process experienced by individuals with female reproductive systems from puberty until menopause, excluding pregnancy. Despite its natural occurrence, menstruation is often shrouded in cultural taboos and stigmas, leading to misconceptions and discomfort in discussing related topics. These societal perceptions can influence various aspects of life, including interpersonal relationships and daily interactions.​ This study employs a descriptive research design to examine the profiles of respondents and identify the challenges they perceive during menstruation in their interactions with partners, friends, and family. A structured survey questionnaire serves as the primary instrument for data collection, enabling the systematic gathering of quantitative information aligned with the study's objectives. The collected data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, including the weighted arithmetic mean. The weighted arithmetic mean is particularly useful when combining average values from different-sized samples, as it accounts for varying importance or frequency of each value. The findings provide valuable insights into the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and their experiences related to menstruation:​  Age Distribution: A significant portion of the respondents, 49.28%, are aged between 18 to 20 years, indicating that nearly half of the participants are in this age bracket.​  Marital Status: An overwhelming majority, 96.62%, identify as single, highlighting that most participants are unmarried.​  Perceived Challenges: Respondents reported facing the most significant challenges concerning their family dynamics during menstruation. This finding suggests that familial interactions may be notably affected during this period.​  Emotional Sensitivity: The majority of respondents exhibit heightened empathy, reacting more intensely to social cues and interactions. This increased sensitivity could influence their interpersonal relationships during menstruation.​  Coping Satisfaction: Participants expressed the lowest level of satisfaction with coping mechanisms within the family context, indicating potential areas for improvement in familial support systems during menstruation. To cultivate a supportive and inclusive learning environment at Bestlink College of the Philippines, the researchers propose a comprehensive program aimed at addressing the challenges menstruating students face. This initiative seeks to promote empathy, reduce stigma, and strengthen interpersonal relationships within the academic community.