Trait Affect and Emotion Regulation in Women with Premenstrual Disorders
Shristi Jain, Mohammed AfsarAbstract
Context:
While premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has long been recognized, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) only recently gained acknowledgment in the 5 th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Both conditions significantly impact women’s functioning and quality of life. Research on the psychological aspects of PMS and PMDD is limited. This study investigates the relationship between emotional regulation, trait affect, and the severity of PMS/PMDD symptoms, aiming to identify psychological factors that could predict these conditions.
Aim and Objectives:
The present study aims to investigate the relationship between trait affect, emotional regulation, and premenstrual symptoms (PMS)/PMDD in a sample of young adult Indian women.
Materials and Methods:
This correlational study was conducted on 223 women in the age range of 18–25 years. The study variables were assessed using self-administered rating scales. Participants were screened for PMS and PMDD using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool. The other tools included the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-18. The data was analyzed using Jamovi (2.3.28 solid), an open-source software. Independent samples
Results:
Based on the self-reported symptoms, 128 participants were screened positive for PMS, whereas 43 were screened positive for PMDD. Point-biserial correlation revealed that the diagnosis of PMS and PMDD is significantly related to trait negative affect and two aspects of emotional dysregulation, i.e., impulsivity and non-acceptance of emotions. Binomial logistic regressions identified negative trait affect and positive trait affect as the predictors of PMS and nonacceptance and negative trait affect as the predictors of PMDD.
Conclusions:
The present study establishes that negative trait affect is a significant risk factor for both PMS and PMDD. Despite PMS’s physiological basis, the findings highlight the importance of developing interventions to address trait negative affect for mitigating PMS and PMDD.