Interview study, 1987
Is premenstrual syndrome unique to Western culture?
The author argues that PMS functions as a culture-specific syndrome reflecting conflicts about women's roles in Western society, though it also has biological roots. This is theoretical analysis, not research with patient data.
What they did
The author analyzed PMS from an anthropological perspective and compared it to other culture-bound syndromes described in anthropological literature.
What they found
PMS resembles many culture-bound syndromes. The author suggests it may be a symbolic representation of conflicting societal expectations that women be both productive (working) and reproductive (having children). While acknowledging biopsychological factors, PMS is best understood as a sociocultural phenomenon.
What it means for you
This suggests the way women experience and describe PMS may be shaped by cultural factors and gender role expectations in Western society. The main limitation is that this is theoretical thinking, not research with actual patient data.
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome as a western culture-specific disorder
- Authors
- Johnson TM
- Journal
- Culture, medicine and psychiatry
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Interview study
- What was tested
- Theoretical analysis only, no study conducted
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/bf00048518
Topics
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