Date of Award
4-3-2000
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Jeffrey E. Holm
Abstract
Empirical evidence supports the hypothesis that migraine headache activity can covary with psychological stress and often with phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. However, the specific parameters of the relationships between migraines, stress, and menstrual cycle variations are not well understood. It has been suggested that stress may interact with hormonal fluctuations associated with a woman's menstrual cycle to impact her headache activity. The present study examined the physiological and psychological reactivity of 32 female participants (17 controls, 15 migraineurs) in response to a laboratory speech stressor on two separate occasions corresponding to menses and the early luteal phase of their menstrual cycles. Appraisal and coping strategies were monitored, as well as skin conductance, blood volume, and pulse rate. Evidence suggested that the menstrual cycle did moderate participants' reactions to the stressor. In addition, headache activity varied across migraineurs' menstrual cycles and controls tended to use more engagement coping than did migraineurs.
Recommended Citation
Myers, Tricia Cook, "A controlled investigation of female migraineurs' psychological and physiological reactivity to stress during two phases of the menstrual cycle." (2000). Theses and Dissertations. 7804.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/7804