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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

Published in:

01-12-2016

Psychosocial Profile of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Healthy Controls: A Comparative Study

Authors: Maria Kleinstäuber, Katarina Schmelzer, Beate Ditzen, Gerhard Andersson, Wolfgang Hiller, Cornelia Weise

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

Purpose

According to modern bio-psychosocial theories of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the aim of this study is to investigate systematically associations between selected psychosocial factors and premenstrual symptoms in different menstrual cycle phases.

Method

Several psychosocial variables were assessed, in a sample of German women with PMS (N = 90) and without premenstrual complaints (N = 48) during the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Presence of PMS was indicated by analysis of contemporary daily ratings of premenstrual symptom severity and impairment for one menstrual cycle.

Results

Regarding perceived chronic stress (ƞ ² = 0.34), self-efficacy (ƞ ² = 0.12), and two dimensions of self-silencing (0.06 ≤ ƞ ² ≤ 0.11) analyses revealed only a significant effect of group. Regarding body dissatisfaction and somatosensory amplification, a significant effect of group (0.07 ≤ ƞ ² ≤ 0.16) and additionally a group by menstrual cycle phase interaction (ƞ ² = 0.06) was identified. Regarding relationship quality, a significant effect of menstrual cycle phase (ƞ ² = 0.08) and a group by menstrual cycle phase interaction (ƞ ² = 0.06) was demonstrated. In respect to sexual contentment, acceptance of premenstrual symptoms, and the remaining two dimensions of self-silencing statistical analyses revealed no effects at all. Linear multiple regression analysis revealed that 20 % of the variance in PMS symptom severity was explained by the psychosocial variables investigated. Body dissatisfaction (ß = 0.26, p = 0.018) and the divided self-dimension of self-silencing (ß = 0.35, p = 0.016) were significant correlates of PMS severity.

Conclusion

Results of this study are consistent with previous research and additionally show patterns of associations between specific psychosocial factors and PMS in dependence of menstrual cycle phase that have not been researched before. The role of the psychosocial variables we investigated in regard to the development and maintenance of PMS should be clarified in future research.

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Title: Psychosocial Profile of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Healthy Controls: A Comparative Study
Authors: Maria Kleinstäuber
Katarina Schmelzer
Beate Ditzen
Gerhard Andersson
Wolfgang Hiller
Cornelia Weise
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-016-9564-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Psychosocial Profile of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Healthy Controls: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

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