Adaptive Expressivity and Life Satisfaction in Women with and without Menstrual Disorders.

Anushka Sabharwal

Adaptive Expressivity and Life Satisfaction in Women with and without Menstrual Disorders.

Author(s)	Ms. Anushka Sabharwal
Country	India
Abstract	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.”
Keywords	• Menstrual disorders • Life satisfaction • Resilience • Interpersonal functioning • Subjective well-being homeostasis
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-04-27

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Adaptive Expressivity and Life Satisfaction in Women with and without Menstrual Disorders.

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