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. 2024 Mar 7;8:e52427. doi: 10.2196/52427

Table 2.

Mapping of antecedents of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) self-management and psychological well-being onto new PCOS self-management intervention session content.

Potentially modifiable antecedent Course sessions
1 2 3 4 5 6
Long-term implications of PCOS ✓
✓
✓
Getting the most from the health care system ✓

✓ ✓ ✓
How to eat well in PCOS
✓ ✓


Coping with low self esteem ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
What self-management of PCOS entails ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
How to use physical activity to manage PCOS ✓ ✓ ✓


Which information sources to trust ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Maintaining motivation longer term ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Coping with feeling “not properly feminine” ✓
✓ ✓
✓
Basic biology of PCOS ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Coping with depression and low mood ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Following a PCOS-healthy diet ✓
✓


Making healthy choices ✓
✓


Coping with eating distress, for example, binge eating and overeating

✓


Motivation to self-manage ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Coping with embarrassment and shame ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓
Confidence to self-manage ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Using physical activity to manage PCOS ✓ ✓ ✓


Trust in health professionals ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Coping with anxiety and fear ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Prioritizing your own needs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Setting clear self-management goals ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Not giving up on self-management ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Coping with frustration and anger ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Coping with loneliness and isolation ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Finding a physical activity that is enjoyable
✓



Skills to communicate with health professionals ✓

✓ ✓
Monitoring your menstrual cycle ✓ ✓
✓
✓
How to keep trying to self-manage ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Setting realistic goals ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Realistic expectations of the body ✓

✓

Getting social support ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓