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Thesis
Identifying the cognitive and affective dimensions of PMDD amidst methodological heterogeneity: a scoping review of DSM-5 era cohort studies
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Mar 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010899
Abstract
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe mood disorder characterized by recurring and impairing cognitive, affective, and physical symptoms with onset in the late-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Research progress to identify and clarify the psychological dimensions of PMDD has been hindered by methodological challenges, including inconsistent diagnostic criteria, varied study designs, and differences in assessment strategies. Given this heterogeneity, literature reviews are essential for organizing existing literature, recognizing patterns and guiding future research. This scoping review examined empirical studies that have investigated the cognitive and affective dimensions of PMDD since the publication of the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2013), with the aim of mapping these cognitive and affective constructs and synthesizing findings.Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a systematic search across PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline to identify studies that utilized PMDD-only cohorts, as well as repeated, phase-specified psychological assessments and quantitative methodologies. Reviewers first cataloged articles that explored cognitive and affective constructs in PMDD research since 2013 (N = 36), and then they analyzed a subset of studies (N = 12) regarding mood, rumination, and stress. Findings indicate that individuals with PMDD exhibit heightened negative affect, lower positive affect, increased rumination, and greater stress sensitivity, particularly during the late-luteal phase. Moreover, symptoms are associated with childhood adversity, emotion regulation deficits, neuroanatomical structure differences, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, suggesting underlying mechanisms that contribute to symptom severity. While research since 2013 has improved our understanding of the psychological profile of PMDD, the diversity of study methodologies complicates comparability. By synthesizing findings across studies and identifying key methodological differences, this review highlights both commonalities and heterogeneity among PMDD-only cohort studies, and it underscores the necessity of structured literature analysis in refining conceptual models of PMDD that can help guide future empirical research.
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Details
- Title
- Identifying the cognitive and affective dimensions of PMDD amidst methodological heterogeneity
- Creators
- Caroline Hayes
- Contributors
- Pamela A. Geller (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 50 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022043494504721