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Abstract
Reports of menstrual-related symptoms vary greatly among individuals, suggesting that individual differences may influence symptom reports. The menstrual reactivity hypothesis describes how the personality trait anxiety sensitivity may heighten women’s negative perceptions of symptoms that accompany menstruation. Similarly, trait body shame may increase negative focus on menstrual-related symptoms, thus increasing menstrual-related symptom reports. Moreover, this relationship may be explained by distress about bodily changes. These ideas were tested cross-sectionally in undergraduate women (N = 126). Trait body shame predicted increased menstrual-related symptoms regardless of menstrual cycle phase, and distress about bodily changes mediated this relationship. Findings support the extension of the menstrual reactivity hypothesis to include trait body shame.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Author’s note
Research conducted by Jean M. Lamont, PhD, in the Department of Psychology, Bellarmine University. The study reported herein was approved by Bellarmine’s institutional review board and all participants provided informed consent prior to participation. The author declares no conflicts of interest. Many thanks to Lauren Deines and Abby Flynn for their invaluable assistance in data collection on this project.