Survey study, 1981
Do teenage girls experience mood changes around their period?
No. Teenage girls tested just before or during their period did not show different anxiety or depression levels compared to times tested at other parts of their cycle. A control group of teenage boys also showed no mood changes across time.
What they did
158 female high school students aged 15-16 completed mood questionnaires. Researchers later tested 29 of these girls who were within 4 days before their period and 23 who were in their first 4 days of menstruation, comparing their mood to times in other parts of their cycle. Male classmates were also tested as a comparison.
What they found
Teenage girls showed no significant differences in anxiety or depression based on cycle phase. Those tested before their period and those during menstruation showed similar mood to girls tested in other cycle phases. Males also showed no mood differences across time.
What it means for you
Teenage girls may not experience premenstrual mood changes like adult women do. The main limitation is the small groups tested at only specific cycle phases, not throughout their whole cycles.
158
female students total
29
tested before their period
23
tested during menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual and menstrual mood changes in adolescent women
- Authors
- Golub S, Harrington DM
- Journal
- Journal of personality and social psychology
- Year
- 1981
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 29
- What was tested
- None. This tracked mood at different cycle phases.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.41.5.961
Topics
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