Psychosomatic Medicine Faster Service from Outside North America
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by IVEY, M. E.
Right arrow Articles by BARDWICK, J. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by IVEY, M. E.
Right arrow Articles by BARDWICK, J. M.

Psychosomatic Medicine 30:336-345 (1968)
© 1968 American Psychosomatic Society

Patterns of Affective Fluctuation in the Menstrual Cycle

MELVILLE E. IVEY 1 and JUDITH M. BARDWICK PH.D.1

1 Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Twenty-six female college students aged 19-22 were tested for differences in anxiety level during the menstrual cycle. Ss were asked to talk for 5 min. on "any memorable life experience." These verbal samples were recorded at ovulation and 2-3 days preceding the onset of menses during 2 complete menstrual cycles for each S. The samples were scored according to Gottschalk's (1961) Verbal Anxiety Scale (VAS) for Death, Mutilation, Separation, Guilt, Shame, and Diffuse Anxiety. The verbal samples were also examined for thematic variations.

The sensitivity of the VAS was confirmed, as it revealed consistent and significant variations in anxiety level between ovulation and premenstrual samples for each S. The premenstrual anxiety level was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.0005) than that at ovulation over all Ss. Additional findings showed consistent themes of hostility and depression as well as themes of noncoping during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. In spite of individual differences between Ss, these findings indicate significant and predictable affective fluctuations during the menstrual cycle which correlate with endocrine changes. Qualitative data on "premenstrual syndrome" and psychosomatic aspects of premenstrual symptoms were also presented.

Submitted on November 22, 1967




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Communication ResearchHome page
J. M. MEADOWCROFT and D. ZILLMANN
Women's Comedy Preferences During the Menstrual Cycle
Communication Research, April 1, 1987; 14(2): 204 - 218.
[Abstract]

Home page
 Arch Gen PsychiatryHome page
R. N. Walsh, I. Budtz-Olsen, C. Leader, and R. A. Cummins
The Menstrual Cycle, Personality, and Academic Performance
Arch Gen Psychiatry, February 1, 1981; 38(2): 219 - 221.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 ScienceHome page
D. Ruble
Premenstrual symptoms: a reinterpretation
Science, July 15, 1977; 197(4300): 291 - 292.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Gen PsychiatryHome page
J. H. Button and R. S. Reivich
Obsessions of Infanticide: A Review of 42 Cases
Arch Gen Psychiatry, August 1, 1972; 27(2): 235 - 240.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Gen PsychiatryHome page
M. L. Belfer, R. I. Shader, M. Carroll, and J. S. Harmatz
Alcoholism in Women
Arch Gen Psychiatry, December 1, 1971; 25(6): 540 - 544.
[Abstract] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1968 by the American Psychosomatic Society