Past research which has been interpreted as support for a psychological etiology of menstrual distress is critically reviewed. This research is analyzed with respect to methodological issues such as the assessment of menstrual distress, the measurement of psychological parameters, and statistical procedures and with respect to experimenter bias apparent in the interpretation of results. It is concluded that the available empirical evidence is inadequate to support psychological causation of menstrual distress.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BerryC.McQuireF. L.Menstrual distress and acceptance of sexual role. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1972, 114, 83–87.
2.
BloomL. J.SkeltonJ. L.MichaelsA. C.Dysmenorrhea and personality. Journal of Personality Assessment, 1978, 42, 272–276.
3.
BrockwayJ.Prediction of premenstrual symptomatology using the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Unpublished dissertation, Univer. of Iowa, 1975.
4.
Brooks-GunnJ.RubleD.Dysmenorrhea in adolescence. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association, New York, September, 1979.
5.
CoppenA.KesselN.Menstruation and personality. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1963, 109, 711–721.
GoughH. G.Personality factors related to reported severity of menstrual distress. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1975, 84, 59–65.
8.
GregoryB. A. J. C.The menstrual cycle and its disorders in psychiatric patients: Review of the literature. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1957, 2, 61–79.
HalbreichU.KasD.Variations in the Taylor MAS of women with premenstrual syndrome. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1977, 31, 391–393.
11.
HirtM.KurtzR.RossW. D.The relationship between dysmenorrhea and selected personality variables. Psychosomatics, 1967, 8, 350–353.
12.
LevittE. E.LubinB.Some personality factors associated with menstrual complaints and menstrual attitude. Journal of Psychosomatic Research1967, 11, 267–270.
13.
MoosR. H.The development of a Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1968, 30, 853–867.
14.
MoosR. H.Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, manual. Palo Alto: Social Ecology, 1977.
15.
MoosR. H.KopellB. S.MelgesF. T.YalomI. D.LundeD. T.ClaytonR. B.HamburgD. A.Fluctuations in symptoms and moods during the menstrual cycle. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1969, 13, 27–44.
16.
ParleeM. B.Stereotypic beliefs about menstruation: A methodological note on the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and some new data. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1974, 36, 229–240.
17.
RouseP.Premenstrual tension: A study using the Moos Menstrual Questionnaire. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1978, 22, 215–222.
18.
RubleD. N.Premenstrual symptoms: A reinterpretation. Science, 1977, 197, 291–292.
19.
SchuckitM. A.DalyV.HerrmanG.HinemanS.Premenstrual symptoms and depression in a university population. Diseases of the Nervous System, 1975, 36, 516–517.
20.
SheldrakeP.CormackM.Variations in menstrual cycle symptom reporting. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1976, 20, 169–177.
21.
SommerB.The effect of menstruation on cognitive and perceptual-motor behavior: A review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1973, 35, 515–534.
22.
SturgisS. H.Primary dysmenorrhea: Etiology and management. In SturgisS. H.TaymorM. L. (Eds.), Progress in gynecology. Vol. V. New York: Grune & Stratton, 1970. Pp. 149–162.
