Aim: This study aimed to explore the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on
depression, anxiety, stress, achievement, and coping strategy among young female
students with primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and method: Design: Quasi
experimental (pre-post) research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted
at the Technical Nursing Institute- Mansoura University from November 2020 to
January 2021. Participants: Purposive sampling as used to divide 116 young
female nursing students into two groups (intervention arm and non-intervention
arm), who completed the study after implementing a cognitive behavioral therapy
program with 12 weekly sessions on the intervention arm. Tools: Four tools were
used for data collection Interview Questionnaire Schedule, Depression Anxiety
Stress Scales (DASS), Numerical pain scale and coping mechanism scale. Results:
Post intervention, there were statistically significant differences between the two
arms regarding depression (P = 0.009), anxiety (P = 0.044), stress (P = 0.003), and
coping strategies including ignoring pain (P ≤ 0.001), physical exercise (P ≤
0.001), using home remedies (P = 0.047), and hot application (P = 0.013), between
the two arms. Conclusion: Cognitive behavior therapy had a positive effect on pain
intensity, poor concentration, and restriction in physical activities, social withdrawal,
mood swing and academic achievement. Moreover, there was a significant change in
depression, anxiety, stress, and coping mechanism with primary dysmenorrhea.
Recommendations: Stress on the importance of cognitive behavior therapy sessions
had a positive effect on psychological status and educational sessions, for young
female nursing students, can be an efficient method to increase awareness and
prevent delays in diagnosis