Physical Activity Avoidance During Menstruation—The Role of Coping and Self-Efficacy

Morse, Christopher I ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5261-2637, Hearn, Jasmine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5988-5278, Holmes, Paul S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0821-3580 and Kolic, Petra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3402-1857 (2024) Physical Activity Avoidance During Menstruation—The Role of Coping and Self-Efficacy. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 32 (1). wspaj.2024-0054. ISSN 1063-6161

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate self-efficacy and coping strategies in women who avoided physical activity during menstruation (avoiders), adapted their physical activity during menstruation (adaptors), or maintained their normal physical activity during menstruation (nonavoiders). Using an online survey which included sections on menstrual severity, menstrual attitude (menstrual self-evaluation questionnaire), coping (the premenstrual coping measure and the coping inventory for stressful situations), and self-efficacy for exercise, 349 respondents were classified as avoiders (40.7%), adapters (33.5%), and non-avoiders (25.8%). Avoiders and adapters had similar menstrual symptoms, with menstrual flow and menstrual pain being greater in avoiders than non-avoiders (p < .001). The positive elements of menstrual attitude were lower in avoiders compared with nonavoiders (p < .05). Avoiders had lower task-focused coping strategies (p < .05), with premenstrual coping showing avoiders to have higher self-care and adjusting energy coping strategies (all p < .01). Compared with nonavoiders and adapters, avoiders had lower self-efficacy for exercise (p < .001). During menstruation, avoiders of physical activity do so with more severe and frequent menstrual symptoms, a less positive attitude to menstruation, more passive and avoidance coping strategies, and with lower self-efficacy than non-avoiders. Despite presenting with similar menstrual symptoms to avoiders, adapters continue to exercise during menstruation, underpinned by a higher self-efficacy for exercise. Taken together, these findings suggest that self-efficacy and coping strategies may act as important factors for physical activity avoidance during menstruation.