The influence of selected variables on the experience of menstrual distress in alcoholic and nonalcoholic women.

Studies indicate that some alcoholic women relate their drinking to their menstrual cycle. Studies also indicate that the menses can serve as a situational stressor for certain alcoholic women. A study of 100 alcoholic and 100 nonalcoholic women was designed to investigate factors that influence menstrual distress. The factors of age, education, income, occupational status, and menstrual distress were investigated. None of the predictor variables accounted for significant amounts of variance in the criterion variable (menstrual distress). Alcoholic women were found to have a higher degree of menstrual distress than nonalcoholic women. The relationship of race to menstrual distress deserves further investigation. Nursing implications are presented.