Survey study, 1992
Do women with more premenstrual symptoms have unhelpful thinking patterns?
Women reporting more premenstrual symptoms had higher scores on the 'need for comfort' thinking pattern, indicating they struggled more with stress. We don't know if unhelpful thinking causes symptoms or symptoms cause unhelpful thinking.
What they did
104 women aged 18 to 45 years completed questionnaires measuring premenstrual symptoms and irrational thinking patterns.
What they found
Women with greater premenstrual symptomatology reported significantly higher 'need for comfort' irrationality subscale scores. This indicated they had particular difficulty dealing with hassles and resulting tension and irritability in the premenstruum. Other irrationality subscales showed no significant effects.
What it means for you
Women with more premenstrual symptoms may struggle more with stress-related thinking, but cause and effect are unclear. Small cross-sectional study with 104 women, and timing of testing during the cycle may affect results.
104
women surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual symptoms: the role of irrational thinking
- Authors
- Lindner H, Kirkby RJ
- Journal
- Psychological reports
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 104
- What was tested
- Questionnaire about thinking patterns and symptoms
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1992.71.1.247
Topics
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