Adaptive Expressivity and Life Satisfaction in Women with and without Menstrual Disorders.
Menstrual disorders are commonly framed as disabling conditions that disrupt relationships and overall well-being. In contrast, perspectives from resilience and subjective well-being homeostasis suggest that individuals can adjust to recurring stressors without experiencing a decline in life satisfaction. Building on this view, the present study proposes Menstrual Resilience Decoupling Theory (MRDT), which suggests that women with menstrual disorders preserve stable well-being by separating specific challenges from their overall life satisfaction while engaging in adaptive interpersonal expression.
A quantitative, cross-sectional ex post facto study was conducted with 181 women aged 18–35, including a menstrual-disordered group (n = 36; mainly dysmenorrhea and PMS) and a control group (n = 145). Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; α = .87), and interpersonal functioning was assessed using the FIAT-Q-SF. Due to non-normal distributions and unequal group sizes, Welch’s t-tests, Bayesian analyses, and Spearman correlations were applied.
Findings revealed no significant difference in life satisfaction between groups (p = .413), with both remaining within the “homeostatically protected” range (approximately 70–80%). However, women with menstrual disorders showed higher levels of Excessive Expressivity and Argumentativeness, along with a trend toward greater Connection/Reciprocity, suggesting more active interpersonal engagement.
Importantly, life satisfaction in the disordered group was not associated with interpersonal functioning, indicating a decoupling between relational strain and overall well-being. In contrast, the control group showed the expected negative relationships.
Overall, MRDT frames menstrual disorders as cyclical stressors that promote adaptive interpersonal responses while preserving well-being, challenging deficit-based views and emphasizing resilience through “adaptive expressivity with well-being insulation.”
A quantitative, cross-sectional ex post facto study was conducted with 181 women aged 18–35, including a menstrual-disordered group (n = 36; mainly dysmenorrhea and PMS) and a control group (n = 145). Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; α = .87), and interpersonal functioning was assessed using the FIAT-Q-SF. Due to non-normal distributions and unequal group sizes, Welch’s t-tests, Bayesian analyses, and Spearman correlations were applied.
Findings revealed no significant difference in life satisfaction between groups (p = .413), with both remaining within the “homeostatically protected” range (approximately 70–80%). However, women with menstrual disorders showed higher levels of Excessive Expressivity and Argumentativeness, along with a trend toward greater Connection/Reciprocity, suggesting more active interpersonal engagement.
Importantly, life satisfaction in the disordered group was not associated with interpersonal functioning, indicating a decoupling between relational strain and overall well-being. In contrast, the control group showed the expected negative relationships.
Overall, MRDT frames menstrual disorders as cyclical stressors that promote adaptive interpersonal responses while preserving well-being, challenging deficit-based views and emphasizing resilience through “adaptive expressivity with well-being insulation.”