MMPI correlates of menstrual distress

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Women's Health
• Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

• Menstrual distress is a common experience for women.
• The relationship between psychological factors and menstrual symptoms requires further investigation.
• The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Moos' Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) are established tools for assessing psychological traits and menstrual symptoms, respectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the correlation between specific MMPI clinical scales and menstrual/premenstrual symptoms assessed by the MDQ.
• To determine if psychological factors are associated with all or only certain types of menstrual distress.

Main Methods:

• Sixty undergraduate women completed the MMPI and MDQ.
• Partial correlations were calculated between MMPI scales and MDQ symptom scales.
• Intermenstrual symptom reports and response set biases were statistically controlled.

Main Results:

• MMPI variables showed significant correlations with premenstrual pain, negative affect, and menstrual behavior change.
• No significant correlations were found with water retention or arousal symptoms.
• Common MMPI scales such as Sc (Schizophrenia), Hs (Hypochondriasis), Hy (Hysteria), and Pt (Psychasthenia) were frequently involved in the observed correlations.

Conclusions:

• Psychological factors, as measured by the MMPI, are more closely associated with certain menstrual and premenstrual symptoms than others.
• The findings suggest a differential impact of psychological variables on the symptomatology of the menstrual cycle.
• Further research can explore the clinical implications of these associations for understanding and managing menstrual distress.