The role of perceived control over anxiety in prospective symptom reports across the menstrual cycle.

The role of perceived control over anxiety in prospective symptom reports across the menstrual cycle. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2014 Oct 1; Authors: Mahon JN, Rohan KJ, Nillni YI, Zvolensky MJ Abstract The present investigation tested the role of psychological vulnerabilities to anxiety in reported menstrual symptom severity. Specifically, the current study tested the incremental validity of perceived control over anxiety-related events in predicting menstrual symptom severity, controlling for the effect of anxiety sensitivity, a documented contributor to menstrual distress. It was expected that women with lower perceived control over anxiety-related events would report greater menstrual symptom severity, particularly in the premenstrual phase. A sample of 49 normally menstruating women, aged 18-47 years, each prospectively tracked their menstrual symptoms for one cycle and completed the Anxiety Control Questionnaire (Rapee, Craske, Brown, & Barlow Behav Ther 27:279-293. doi: 10.1016/S0005-7894(96)80018-9 , 1996) in their follicular and premenstrual phases. A mixed model analysis revealed perceived control over anxiety-related events was a more prominent predictor of menstrual symptom severity than anxiety sensitivity, regardless of the current cycle phase. This finding provides preliminary evidence that perceived control over anxiety-related events is associated with the perceived intensity of menstrual symptoms. This finding hi...
Source: Behavior Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Arch Womens Ment Health Source Type: research