Objective: The aim of this study was to predict premenstrual syndrome in female athletes based on distress tolerance with the mediating role of coping strategies.



Methods: This study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of method. The statistical population consisted of all female athletes in Tehran in 2025, from which 414 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool by Delara et al. (2011), the Distress Tolerance Scale by Simons & Gaher (2005), and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire by Folkman & Lazarus (1980). Data analysis was performed using path analysis with SPSS-22 and AMOS-24 software.



Results: The total path coefficient between distress tolerance and premenstrual syndrome was negative and significant (β = -0.454, p<0.01). The path coefficient between emotion-focused coping and premenstrual syndrome was positive and significant (β=0.334, p<0.01), while the path coefficient between problem-focused coping and premenstrual syndrome was negative and significant (β = -0.294, p<0.01). The indirect path coefficient between distress tolerance and premenstrual syndrome was negative and significant (β = -0.149, p<0.01).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that improving distress tolerance and teaching adaptive coping strategies, particularly strengthening problem-focused coping and reducing excessive reliance on emotion-focused coping, can be effective in reducing the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in female athletes. Therefore, designing psychological interventions based on emotion regulation and teaching coping skills is recommended within support programs for female athletes.