Empathy Shift: Menstrual Cycle Phases, and the Moderating Role of Premenstrual Symptoms on Empathy

This study investigated the impact of menstrual cycle phases on empathy and whether premenstrual symptoms moderate this relationship. Women were assessed with the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool (PSST) and across the early follicular, late follicular, and late luteal phases of their menstrual cycles using the Tübinger Empathy Test (TET). It was hypothesised that empathy levels would vary across these phases due to hormonal changes, with a reduction in empathy expected during the luteal phase, especially in women experiencing severe premenstrual symptoms. Contrary to these expectations, the results revealed no significant changes in empathy across menstrual cycle phases. However, premenstrual symptoms significantly moderated self-directed empathy, particularly in negative emotional situations, where women with severe premenstrual symptoms rated their own negative emotions more harshly than those of others. These findings suggest that psychological factors, such as emotional...Show moreThis study investigated the impact of menstrual cycle phases on empathy and whether premenstrual symptoms moderate this relationship. Women were assessed with the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool (PSST) and across the early follicular, late follicular, and late luteal phases of their menstrual cycles using the Tübinger Empathy Test (TET). It was hypothesised that empathy levels would vary across these phases due to hormonal changes, with a reduction in empathy expected during the luteal phase, especially in women experiencing severe premenstrual symptoms. Contrary to these expectations, the results revealed no significant changes in empathy across menstrual cycle phases. However, premenstrual symptoms significantly moderated self-directed empathy, particularly in negative emotional situations, where women with severe premenstrual symptoms rated their own negative emotions more harshly than those of others. These findings suggest that psychological factors, such as emotional regulation and self-criticism, may play a larger role in shaping self-directed empathic responses than hormonal fluctuations alone. The study highlights the importance of addressing premenstrual symptoms in clinical settings to improve emotional regulation and well-being.Show less

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Empathy Shift: Menstrual Cycle Phases, and the Moderating Role of Premenstrual Symptoms on Empathy