--- title: Does a history of abuse affect how stress relates to premenstrual symptoms? description: Yes. Women who experienced abuse had higher stress levels and more severe premenstrual symptoms than those without abuse history. The age at which abuse happe url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-abuse-history-and-age-on-the-interrelationship-between-perceived-2014/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a history of abuse affect how stress relates to premenstrual symptoms? Survey study, 2014 # Does a history of abuse affect how stress relates to premenstrual symptoms? Yes. Women who experienced abuse had higher stress levels and more severe premenstrual symptoms than those without abuse history. The age at which abuse happened was more important than just having been abused. Early or limited evidence Women aged 18 to 25 years ## What they did Cross-sectional study of women aged 18 to 25. Participants reported whether they experienced abuse before age 14 (childhood) or at age 14 and older (adolescent). Researchers measured stress levels and premenstrual symptoms. ## What they found Women with abuse history had higher stress and premenstrual symptoms compared to those without. The age at which abuse occurred significantly predicted both stress and symptoms. Women abused as children showed the strongest connection between increased stress and severe premenstrual symptoms. ## What it means for you Childhood abuse has longer-lasting effects on stress and premenstrual symptoms than adolescent abuse. This study only included young women aged 18 to 25, so findings may not apply to older women. The study cannot prove abuse causes the higher stress and symptoms, only that they occur together. 18-25 Age range of women studied (years) younger than 14 Age cutoff for childhood abuse (years) 14 and older Age cutoff for adolescent abuse (years) ## About the study Original title The Effects of Abuse History and Age on the Interrelationship between Perceived Stress and Premenstrual Symptom Reports Authors Danielle L. Reaves Journal Journal of Women s Health Care Year 2014 Study design Survey study What was tested None—observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4172/2167-0420.1000190](https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0420.1000190) Original abstract Abuse remains a pervasive issue for women throughout their lifespan, with far-reaching consequences on a woman’s physical and mental health. Previous studies have suggested that among other health issues, women who have been abused have higher reports of perceived stress (STRESS) and more severe premenstrual symptomatology. The current study assessed the effects of abuse history and age of abuse on the relationship between STRESS and Premenstrual Symptom Reports (PMSR) in women between 18 – 25 years. On the Abuse Questionnaire, participants indicated whether abuse events occurred as a child ( 14 years). Both PMSR and STRESS were greater in women with an abuse history. Moreover, the age of abuse significantly predicted both STRESS and PMSR over and above abuse history in general. To further probe these findings, interaction analyses were performed. Results revealed a significant interaction between abuse age and STRESS on PMSR, indicating more severe symptomatology with increased stress among women who were abused as children. These findings assert the relationship between abuse and detrimental physical health outcomes, while specifically highlighting that abuse age affects the relationship between STRESS and PMSR in women. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2025 Is there a link between stress, trauma, and premenstrual symptoms? Cohort study, 2021 Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome? Cohort study, 1999 What causes negative mood during menopause? Survey study, 2026 Does stress affect premenstrual symptoms in female athletes, and can coping strategies help? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Survey study, 2026 Does fear of childbirth explain why women with PMS are more likely to develop postpartum depression? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗