Leiden University Student Repository

Hofmann, Marie (2021)

Possible Effects of Menstrual Cycle on Mood and Depression Mediated by State Self-Esteem

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

The current research investigated the role of state self-esteem in the relationship between menstrual cycle and mood symptoms, specifically depression and anxiety. Research has not only generally shown a higher incidence rate of depression in women but also specifically increased rates of depression in women with menstrual related symptoms. In the present study it was hypothesized that women during their menstruation, compared to during their ovulation, show more depressive and anxious symptoms. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that there is a mediating effect of self-esteem. It was predicted that women during their menstruation have less self-esteem and that women with less self-esteem show more depressive and anxious symptoms. An online questionnaire about depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and additionally questions about women’s menstrual cycle was filled out by 268 participants. Focusing on only naturally cycling women, 18 women were grouped into the ovulating and 25 women into...Show moreThe current research investigated the role of state self-esteem in the relationship between menstrual cycle and mood symptoms, specifically depression and anxiety. Research has not only generally shown a higher incidence rate of depression in women but also specifically increased rates of depression in women with menstrual related symptoms. In the present study it was hypothesized that women during their menstruation, compared to during their ovulation, show more depressive and anxious symptoms. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that there is a mediating effect of self-esteem. It was predicted that women during their menstruation have less self-esteem and that women with less self-esteem show more depressive and anxious symptoms. An online questionnaire about depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and additionally questions about women’s menstrual cycle was filled out by 268 participants. Focusing on only naturally cycling women, 18 women were grouped into the ovulating and 25 women into the menstruating group. Contrary to the predictions, results from the multiple regression analyses showed that there was neither an effect of the menstrual cycle phase on mood symptoms such as depression and anxiety nor a mediation effect of state self-esteem in the relationship of the menstrual cycle phase on mood symptoms. However, there seemed to be a relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms. This means the lower the woman’s self-esteem, the higher she scored on depressive symptoms. It thus seems as if depressive and anxious symptoms are not influenced by whether a woman is currently ovulating or menstruating. The results of the study add to the body of literature about the menstrual cycle, self-esteem, and mood symptoms.Show less

Author

Hofmann, Marie

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Clinical Psychology

Supervisors

Bruijn, E. de

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en