Moods in everyday situations: effects of menstrual cycle, work, and personality.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined women's moods on work and off days during different phases of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Self-reports of the moods angry, happy, sad, stressed, tired, and anxious were obtained on two work and two off days during the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in 203 nurses. Individual differences in anger expression, anxiety, and hostility were assessed.


RESULTS
Ratings of anxious, stressed, and tired were higher and happy and sad were lower on the workday than the off day. Menstrual cycle phase was associated with mood differences depending on the day (work, off work) and individual differences in personality traits.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience of moods in everyday life is affected by overall levels of stress and phase of the menstrual cycle. The findings suggest the need to refine sociopsychobiological and clinical models of mood regulation and of risk for disease.
Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. d.m.davydov@soton.ac.uk
Dmitry M
DM
Davydov
David
D
Shapiro
Iris B
IB
Goldstein
D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008016:Life Change Events; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone