Relationship of socialization and stress to perimenstrual symptoms, disability, and menstrual attitudes

This study examined the influence of socialization and exposure to a stressful milieu on perimenstrual symptoms, related disability, and menstrual attitudes. Women (N = 179) aged 18 to 35 were interviewed using the Index of Sex Role Orientation, Schedule of Recent Events, Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, and Menstrual Attitudes Questionnaire, Path analysis was used to assess a model based on Mechanic's (1962, 1980) concept of illness behavior for negative affect, pain, and water retention symptoms during the perimenstruum. Exposure to a stressful milieu was useful in explaining cyclic, recurrent symptoms of negative affect. Of all the symptom clusters, negative affect was found to be the most important cause of perimenstrual disability. Traditional socialization, intense negative affect symptoms, and related disability all influenced menstrual attitudes.