Version 1
: Received: 28 March 2023 / Approved: 28 March 2023 / Online: 28 March 2023 (05:37:49 CEST)
Version 2
: Received: 30 March 2023 / Approved: 30 March 2023 / Online: 30 March 2023 (03:33:26 CEST)
Peng, S.; Yang, Y.; Haselton, M.G. Menstrual Symptoms: Insights from Mobile Menstrual Tracking Applications for English and Chinese Teenagers. Adolescents2023, 3, 394-403.
Peng, S.; Yang, Y.; Haselton, M.G. Menstrual Symptoms: Insights from Mobile Menstrual Tracking Applications for English and Chinese Teenagers. Adolescents 2023, 3, 394-403.
Peng, S.; Yang, Y.; Haselton, M.G. Menstrual Symptoms: Insights from Mobile Menstrual Tracking Applications for English and Chinese Teenagers. Adolescents2023, 3, 394-403.
Peng, S.; Yang, Y.; Haselton, M.G. Menstrual Symptoms: Insights from Mobile Menstrual Tracking Applications for English and Chinese Teenagers. Adolescents 2023, 3, 394-403.
Abstract
Mobile software applications (apps) have transformed how individuals oversee and maintain their own health. One way that girls can monitor their menstrual cycles is through the increasingly widespread use of mobile menstrual tracking apps. This study aims to examine menstrual symptom tracking for adolescents in English and Chinese apps, exploring menstrual literacy, cross-cultural differences, and framing, or presentation, of symptoms. The mixed methods content analysis involved 15 popular free menstrual tracking apps in English (n = 8) and Chinese (n = 7). Quantitative analysis of qualitative data was conducted through manual coding of content and automatically analyzing sentiment, or emotional tone, using a computational approach. We found that: (1) Menstrual literacy on symptom management or treatment was generally insufficient, (2) There were more available emotional than physical symptoms in English than Chinese apps, (3) Symptoms were framed more negatively than positively, somewhat more in Chinese than English apps. Findings emphasize the importance of improving information in digital menstrual trackers. Our findings further reflect cultural differences in emotional expression and negative attitudes toward menstruation. Since adolescence is a critical developmental stage that requires ample support, digital menstrual trackers can uniquely shape attitudes and experiences, ultimately, empowering teenagers to better manage their menstrual health.
Keywords
adolescents; menstruation; sexual and reproductive health; informatics; mobile health
Subject
Social Sciences, Political Science
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter: Sisi Peng
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author