Capturing women’s bodily experiences: Conception and formative stages of the women’s somatic experience inventory

Abstract

Assessment of women’s bodily experiences is used primarily to characterize negative psychological features of menstruation. However, women’s somatic states span a full spectrum of valence, emanate from multiple body systems, and affect physical and psychological well-being every day, throughout life and a more complete understanding of these states is important for the advancement of the science of women. This study presents the conception and formative stages of a comprehensive inventory about women’s somatic states, bodily experiences, and physical perceptions to be called the Women’s Somatic Experience Inventory. Three hundred biologically female university students (ages 18–25) rated the frequency and valence of diverse somatic experiences. An iterative approach was used: a systematic review compiled somatic items, variable clustering techniques reduced items, and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling guided factor refinement and proof-of-concept. Nine unpleasant latent factors (Kinesthetic Disconnect, Generalized Pain, Gastrointestinal Distress, Illness, Low Energy, Neurological Discomfort, Metabolic Stress, Heat & Urgency Response, and Sympathetic Activation) and four pleasant latent factors (Physical Alignment, Physical Intimacy, Activated & Attractive, and Parasympathetic Activation) were identified. Validated surveys of premenstrual symptoms and body awareness, use of hormonal contraception, and exercise and alcohol use behaviors were associated with pleasant and unpleasant factors, serving as initial proof-of-concept. These results support further refinement of the factors to be included in the inventory. With further testing and validation, the identified 73 somatic items and 13 factors could form the Women’s Somatic Experience Inventory, the first comprehensive inventory for understanding women’s somatic experiences, how these experiences change across female reproductive life stages, and how they interact with lifestyle behaviors.