Psychosocial factors in premenstrual dysphoria: Stressors, appraisal, and coping processes

Relationships between event content of daily stressors, appraisal of daily stressors, coping processes, and menstrual cycle phase were examined in women with premenstrual dysphoria (PMD) and controls. Seventy-eight women completed the Daily Rating Form, the Daily Coping Scale and the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist-Revised on a daily basis during the premenstrual and postmenstrual phases. No premenstrual-postmenstrual differences in frequency of occurrence of stressors were reported. Academic and interpersonal stressors were the most frequently reported stressors during both cycle phases. PMD women appraised daily stressors as being more stressful, undesirable, and changeable premenstrually than postmenstrually as compared to controls. Catharsis was used more frequently premenstrually as compared to postmenstrually by PMD women. Premenstrually, women with PMD sought social support more frequently than controls. Interactive relationships between appraisal and coping style varied as a function of cycle phase for PMD women. A state-dependent model of menstrual-related mood changes is supported.