---
title: Are optimism and social support related to fewer premenstrual mood and performance symptoms?
description: Optimism was linked to fewer premenstrual mood symptoms, but social support did not appear to matter for symptoms. Optimism did not help with performance or c
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/optimism-social-support-and-premenstrual-dysphoria-1997/
---

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- Are optimism and social support related to fewer premenstrual mood and performance symptoms?

Survey study, 1997

# Are optimism and social support related to fewer premenstrual mood and performance symptoms?

Optimism was linked to fewer premenstrual mood symptoms, but social support did not appear to matter for symptoms. Optimism did not help with performance or concentration problems.

 Early or limited evidence

101 adult women

## What they did

101 adult women were assessed for their dispositional optimism, satisfaction with social support, and symptoms of premenstrual mood and performance problems.

## What they found

In 101 women, optimism and satisfaction with social support were positively correlated. Optimism was inversely related to mood symptoms even after accounting for social support. Optimism did not correlate with premenstrual performance impairment. Social support did not correlate with any premenstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

Optimism was associated with fewer mood symptoms but not performance problems. Social support wasn't associated with any premenstrual symptoms. The study is small and cross-sectional, so we cannot know if optimism actually causes better mood.

101

adult women

## About the study

Original title Optimism, social support, and premenstrual dysphoria Authors Fontaine KR, Seal A Journal Journal of clinical psychology Year 1997 Study design Survey study Participants 101 What was tested None (observational assessment) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-4679(199704)53:3 3.0.co;2-s](https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-4679(199704)53:3 3.0.co;2-s)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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