Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1975, 40, 886. @ Perceprual and Motor Skills 1975

MENSTRUAL CYCLE A N D THE DECISION T O SEEK PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES JANET L. SURREY, LINDA J. SCOTT', E. LAKIN PHILLIPS The George Washingron University Counseling Center

Researchers have investigated the occurrence of monthly mood cycles and behavior change in relation to women's menstrual cycles. The "pre-menstrual tension" syndrome (depression, anxiety, low self-esteem) appears to occur during the week prior to onset of menstruation (Frank, 1931 ) ; whereas, high levels of self-esteem appear related co the mid-cycle (ovulation phase) (Gottschalk, et al., 1968; Ivey & Bardwick, 1968). The pre-menstrual phase has also been found to be related to certain behavioral events as criminal violence, suicide attempts, psychiatric hospital admission (Dalton, 1964). The present study sought a possible relationship between menstrual phase and application for psychological help at a University Counseling Center. Eighty-two females (all undergraduates) who applied to the Counseling Center between November 19, 1972 and March 3, 1973, and between September 9, 1973 and February 19, 1974, were asked at intake to complete a questionnaire relating to this problem. Only Ss (aged 17 to 23 yr.) with 28-30 day menstrual cycles were included; Week 1 was defined as Days 1 to 7 beginning with menstrual onset; Week 4 then was the pre-menstrual week. Data show the following: Number of applicants for Week 1 was 25 (30.5%); Week 2, 17 (20.7%); Week 3, 11 (13.4%); and Week 4, 29 (35.4%). A ompu put at ion yielded a value significant at p < .05, with 3 df, suggesting that the initial contact with the Center for personal problems (not necessarily serious emotional problems) is more likely to come during the premenstrual and mensrrual phases of the cycle (Weeks 1 and 4) and least likely to occur during the ovulation phase (Week 3 ) . Use of oral contraceptives for the 4-week period failed to show a significant X"(P > . l o ) . Independent checks on this phenomenon in other settings are needed; the present data are viewed as suggestive only. REFERENCES DALTON.K . The premenstrual syndrome. Springfield, Ill.: Thomas, 1964. FRANK,R. T. The hormonal causes of premenstrual tension. Archive5 o f Neurology and Psychiatry, 1931, 26, 1053. G O ~ S C H A LL.KA., , KAPLAN,S.. GLESER,G. D., & WINGET,C. M. Variations in

magnitude of emotion: a method applied to anxiety and hostility during phases of the menstrual cycle. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1962, 24, 300-311. IVEY, M. E.. & BARDWICK. J. M. Patterns of affective fluctuation in the menstrual cycle. Psychosomalic Medicine, 1968, 30, 336-345.

Accepted May 22, 1975.

Menstrual cycle and the decision to seek psychological services.

Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1975, 40, 886. @ Perceprual and Motor Skills 1975 MENSTRUAL CYCLE A N D THE DECISION T O SEEK PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES JAN...
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