Survey study, 1996
Is the Daily Symptom Report a reliable way to diagnose PMS?
Yes, the Daily Symptom Report is a reliable way to diagnose PMS, with very high internal consistency of 0.92. It measures mood, behavior, pain, and physical symptoms separately.
What they did
They tested a 17-item Daily Symptom Report questionnaire in 170 women seeking treatment for severe PMS and 54 healthy women, measuring how consistent and valid it was.
What they found
The DSR had very high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.92). Analysis found four factors: mood, behavioral items, pain, and physical symptoms. The DSR showed moderate correlations with standard depression and mood questionnaires, suggesting PMS overlaps with but is not the same as depression or anxiety.
What it means for you
The Daily Symptom Report is a reliable tool for diagnosing PMS in clinical settings. The main limitation is this is a single validation study with relatively small numbers, so results need confirmation in other populations and settings.
0.92
Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency)
170
Women with severe PMS
54
Healthy comparison women
About the study
- Original title
- Reliability and validity of a daily diary for premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Freeman EW, DeRubeis RJ, Rickels K
- Journal
- Psychiatry research
- Year
- 1996
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 170
- What was tested
- Daily Symptom Report questionnaire
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0165-1781(96)02929-0
Topics
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