title: The Menstrual Cycle-Response and Developmental Affective-Risk Model: A multilevel and integrative model of influence.
abstract: An integrative developmental model is presented in which menstrual cycle-related symptoms are hypothesized to result in a cascade of developmental challenges that contribute to increased affective symptoms among adolescent girls, and to long-term developmental sequelae. To provide the basis for this model a broad foundation is developed considering (a) psychological symptoms and disorders associated with reproductive events across the life span, and (b) the many and complicated effects that female reproductive steroids (estrogen & progesterone) have which trigger a variety of physical and psychological changes that are commonly associated with the menstrual cycle. The Menstrual Cycle-Response and Developmental Affective-Risk Model is driven by 3 central concepts: (a) individual differences in response to steroids are very large and thus require analysis of individual response, rather than group-level tendencies; (b) the menstrual cycle itself represents an important and complex set of biological, physical, psychological, behavioral, and social changes, and should not be studied exclusively as changing steroid levels; and (c) the effects of the menstrual cycle during adolescence and early adulthood may have long-term developmental consequences. This model integrates specific effects of the menstrual cycle with contextual and social developmental variables, and with past theoretical models. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Universita Degli Studi di Padova.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kiesner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000339:Affect; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008572:Menarche / Q000523:psychology; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D065446:Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D012574:Schools; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology*