Survey study, 2016
Do paranoid thinking and self-esteem change across the menstrual cycle?
Yes. During the paramenstrual phase (3 days before and after the period), women reported more feelings of persecution, lower positive self-esteem, higher negative self-esteem, and more anxiety and depression compared to mid-cycle. The difference was clear.
What they did
278 women completed online surveys measuring anxiety, depression, feelings of persecution, whether they felt their persecution was deserved, and self-esteem. Responses were compared between the paramenstrual phase (3 days before and after menses onset) and mid-cycle.
What they found
During the paramenstrual phase, persecution, negative self-esteem, anxiety, and depression were higher, and positive self-esteem was lower than at mid-cycle. A larger proportion of women experienced persecution as deserved at the paramenstrual phase. When women felt their persecution was deserved, this was associated with higher depression and negative self-esteem. The feeling of deservedness strengthened the link between persecution and negative self-esteem.
What it means for you
The paramenstrual phase appears to be a time when women are more vulnerable to paranoid thoughts and lower self-esteem. This could be important for understanding how the menstrual cycle affects relationships and mental health. However, this is a cross-sectional online study, so we cannot be certain whether the cycle phase caused the changes or whether other factors were involved.
278
women surveyed
3
days of paramenstrual phase
About the study
- Original title
- Relationships between paranoid thinking, self-esteem and the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Brock R, Rowse G, Slade P
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 278
- What was tested
- None (observational survey study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0558-4
Topics
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