Kayla Joyce

By Kayla M. Joyce and Sherry H. Stewart

Daily diary methodology is becoming popular in human menstrual cycle (MC) research. However, variations in MC length makes it difficult to examine fluctuations in dependent variables (e.g., substance use levels), across the MC. Existing analytic approaches collapse data across MC phases, examining phase-related changes; however, a loss of potentially vital information can result when data is collapsed across phase. Additionally, current phase designation methods (phase designation and days within each phase) vary substantially across studies, making it difficult to interpret/compare results across studies. To address these problems, two methods were developed to standardize intensive longitudinal data collected via daily diary methodologies—phasic and continuous standardization. Phasic standardization accounts for individual variability in MC length by allowing luteal phase length differences while remaining phases are fixed, enabling the analysis of phasic variations. Alternatively, continuous standardization accounts for individual variability in MC length by standardizing the luteal phase to a seven-day phase, while remaining phases are fixed, allowing for the exploration of continuously reported variables across MC day. This chapter will discuss how to standardize daily diary data collected across the MC using phasic and continuous standardization methods and demonstrate the two standardization methods using two clinically-relevant hypothetical examples.

Part of the book: Menstrual Cycle

By Kayla M. Joyce and Sherry H. Stewart

While most females experience some mood and/or somatic symptoms premenstrually, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is less common. Despite the clinical advantages of identifying those with PMS, there are few validated brief self-report questionnaires to assess PMS. Allen et al. (1991) developed the 10-item Premenstrual Assessment Form – Short Form (PAF-SF) to address this concern, but there is a dearth of research assessing its psychometric properties. In the proposed chapter, we will: 1) identify conceptually relevant subscales on the PAF-SF through factor analysis; 2) assess the internal consistency of the identified subscales; and 3) assess construct validity by testing how identified subscales relate to theoretically associated traits and mental health diagnoses including trait anxiety on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) diagnosis on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5. We will discuss the importance of these results in the context of providing care to females with PMS or PMDD.

Part of the book: Women's Health Problems - A Global Perspective [Working title]