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Social pathways to premenstrual symptoms
N F Woods1, E S Mitchell, M J Lentz
1School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Research in Nursing & Health
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Women's life stress, socialization, and symptom expectations influence perimenstrual symptom patterns. Depressed mood further distinguishes low severity symptoms, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual magnification.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Women's Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Social learning and stress theories inform understanding of premenstrual symptom patterns.
- Women's experiences with menstruation are shaped by socialization and life stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore feminine and menstrual socialization, symptom expectations, and life stress in women with distinct perimenstrual symptom patterns.
- To identify factors differentiating low symptom severity, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual magnification.
Main Methods:
- Interview data collected on socialization, life stress, symptom expectations, and mood.
- Daily health diary recordings over two or more cycles to classify symptom patterns: low severity (LS), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and premenstrual magnification (PMM).
- Stepwise discriminant function analysis used for classification.
Main Results:
- Stressful life context, menstrual socialization, and symptom expectations differentiated LS from PMS/PMM groups.
- Depressed mood was a significant differentiator across all three symptom patterns (LS, PMS, PMM).
Conclusions:
- Social and psychological factors significantly influence the development of perimenstrual symptom severity.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for targeted interventions and support for women experiencing premenstrual symptoms.