The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Coping With Premenstrual Syndrome and Sexual Myths

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, are known to shape long-term psychological and emotional outcomes. However, their impact on women's reproductive health, especially in how they manage premenstrual symptoms, remains underexplored. In sociocultural contexts where sexuality is regulated by restrictive and patriarchal norms, the internalization of sexual myths may further mediate the effects of early trauma on adult well-being. This study examines the relationship between ACEs and women's strategies for coping with premenstrual symptoms, focusing on the mediating role of sexual myths as internalized belief systems that may reflect the long-term consequences of interpersonal trauma. A total of 640 women aged 18 to 36 living in Turkey participated in this cross-sectional study conducted online between March and November 2024. Participants completed validated Turkish versions of the ACEs Questionnaire, the Sexual Myths Scale, and the Premenstrual Coping Measure. Women with higher ACE scores reported significantly lower use of communicative coping strategies and a greater endorsement of sexual myths. Mediation analyses revealed that belief in sexual myths significantly mediated the relationship between ACEs and both emotional awareness/acceptance and self-care in managing premenstrual symptoms. Socioeconomic hardship and growing up in large families were also associated with stronger endorsement of sexual myths. These findings suggest that internalized sexual myths may serve as a psychosocial pathway through which early trauma continues to shape women's embodied and emotional experiences in adulthood. Trauma-informed and feminist-informed interventions are essential for addressing the lingering effects of childhood violence and promoting healthier coping strategies in reproductive health.