Periodicity and self-actualization in women.

Studied the relationship between menstrual cycle phase and self-actualization as measured by the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI). In classroom testing sessions, 160 high school students completed the POI and personal data sheets, which gave information about their menstrual cycle phase. Premenstrual, menstrual, and midcycle groups of 20 Ss each were formed from those girls eligible for inclusion in each condition. Three one-by-three analyses of variance were run using the TC, I, and TC + I scores of the POI, which were selected as the best overall measures of self-actualization. A significant (p less than .05) difference on TC + I was found; subsequent t-tests revealed that the menstrual group's TC + I score was significantly (p less than .02) higher than that of the midcycle group. The difference between menstrual and premenstrual Ss on TC + I, though not significant, lay in the same direction and was of the same order of magnitude. Possible explanations for the results and implications for future testing that involves females are presented briefly.