---
title: Do negative stereotypes about PMS affect how women remember their symptoms?
description: Yes. Women who saw negative stereotypes reported higher symptom scores at baseline (effect size 0.48). Completing 8 weeks of daily symptom tracking had larger
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/do-prospective-ratings-correct-retrospective-distortions-based-on-negative-2021/
---

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- Do negative stereotypes about PMS affect how women remember their symptoms?

Non-randomised trial, 2021

# Do negative stereotypes about PMS affect how women remember their symptoms?

Yes. Women who saw negative stereotypes reported higher symptom scores at baseline (effect size 0.48). Completing 8 weeks of daily symptom tracking had larger effects on reported symptoms (effect size 1.92).

 Early or limited evidence

94 women aged 18-45, with 48 completing the full study

## What they did

Study of 94 women aged 18-45. Half saw a negative presentation about PMDD before starting the study. All completed baseline symptom assessments. Then about half completed 8 weeks of daily prospective symptom ratings. By the end, 48 women remained to complete a final assessment.

## What they found

Women exposed to negative stereotypes reported significantly higher symptoms at baseline compared to those not exposed. Effect sizes were 0.48 for overall symptoms and 0.45 for criteria scores. Completing 8 weeks of daily tracking had much larger effects with effect sizes of 1.92 and 1.98, suggesting that prospective tracking substantially changed how symptoms were reported.

## What it means for you

Negative stereotypes can make women report worse premenstrual symptoms when remembering them. Daily symptom tracking appears to have a strong effect on how women report their symptoms. The study had high dropout, with only 48 of 94 women completing it, limiting confidence in the findings.

94

Women who started the study

48

Women who completed it

0.48

Effect size for stereotype influence

## About the study

Original title Do Prospective Ratings Correct Retrospective Distortions Based on Negative Social Stereotypes of Premenstrual Syndrome? Authors Mary Lou Stone Journal Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) Year 2021 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Exposure to negative PMDD presentation and 8 weeks of prospective daily symptom ratings Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.26076/384a-b761](https://doi.org/10.26076/384a-b761)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)

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