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Self-focused attention in response to laboratory stressors among women with premenstrual disorders

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Abstract

The etiology of premenstrual disorders, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorders (PMDD), is not well understood. In the current study, the relationship between self-focused attention (SFA) and premenstrual disorders was examined to explore the hypothesis that women with premenstrual disorders tend to respond to symptoms in a maladaptive manner. Based on retrospective report, clinical interview, and 30–day prospective recording of premenstrual symptoms, women (N = 52) were categorized as meeting criteria for premenstrual disorders (PMD; n = 24) or not (controls; n = 28). Key findings indicated that women with premenstrual disorders reported greater use of SFA in response to negative affect elicited by laboratory tasks than controls, despite no significant differences in change in negative affect between the two groups. Women with premenstrual disorders also reported greater trait levels of SFA and maladaptive coping styles compared to controls. Women with premenstrual disorders may tend to respond to menstrual cycle changes using increased levels of SFA. The interaction between psychological and physiological menstrual cycle-related changes may lead to increased distress and impairment. Implications for psychological contributions to premenstrual distress and disorders are discussed.

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Notes

  1. Women with specific phobias were not excluded due to the relatively high prevalence of this disorder, and because they are triggered by specific stimuli not present in the laboratory session.

  2. Each subtest of the POMS (i.e., POMS-anxiety, POMS-depression, POMS-anxiety) was also examined separately using this same approach. However, results indicated that there were no main effects or simple main effects for Group for anxious mood, depressed mood, or angry/frustrated mood. The interpretation of the results did not differ when controlling for the other subscales in analyses.

  3. The interpretation of group differences for anxiety sensitivity (ASI), body vigilance (BVS), and health anxiety (SHAI) did not differ when controlling for trait anxiety (STAI-T) in ANCOVA analyses.

  4. An ANCOVA was conducted using depression scores as a covariate (BDI-II) and results indicated that participants in the PMD group reported higher levels of rumination after controlling for depression scores compared to the control group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Julia R. Craner

  2. Psychology Department, University of Maine, 301 Little Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA

    Sandra T. Sigmon

  3. VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Psychology Service (116B), 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA

    Amber A. Martinson

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  1. Julia R. Craner
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  2. Sandra T. Sigmon
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  3. Amber A. Martinson
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Correspondence to Julia R. Craner.

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Craner, J.R., Sigmon, S.T. & Martinson, A.A. Self-focused attention in response to laboratory stressors among women with premenstrual disorders. Arch Womens Ment Health 18, 595–606 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0505-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0505-4

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