Bleeding inequality: How menstrual poverty undermines academic success via social anxiety in female university students-A structural equation modeling study.
IF 0.9 4区 医学Q4 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationships between income, menstrual poverty, social anxiety, and academic success among 640 female undergraduates at Pamukkale University, Türkiye, using structural equation modeling. We collected data between April 1 and 15, 2025. We found moderate menstrual poverty (mean score 35.87 ± 6.35) and social anxiety (28.94 ± 10.59). Lower income predicted higher menstrual poverty (β = -0.199, p < .001), which directly increased social anxiety (β = 0.316, p < .001) and reduced academic success (β = -0.161, p = .002). Social anxiety also negatively affected academic success (β = -0.039, p = .046). We identified significant indirect effects: income influenced academic success through menstrual poverty (β = 0.032, p = .010) and through the sequential pathway of menstrual poverty and social anxiety (β = 0.002, p = 0.045). Income had no direct effect on academic success (β = 0.207, p = .559). Our findings underscore the need for campus interventions addressing menstrual product access, infrastructure, and mental health support to mitigate educational impacts.
期刊介绍:
Health Care for Women International is a critically acclaimed, international publication that provides a unique interdisciplinary approach to health care and related topics that concern women around the globe. Published twelve times a year, Health Care for Women International includes the newest research, theories, and issues in the fields of public health, social science, health care practice, and health care policy. Scholars and practitioners address topics such as cultural differences, alternative lifestyles, domestic violence, public health issues associated with the aging of the population, maternal morbidity and mortality, infectious diseases, and a host of other gender-based ethical issues. The editor also encourages discussion topics, inviting readers to comment on articles that focus on specific aspects of health issue for women.