The factor structure of self-reported physical stress reactions

A self-report questionnaire tapping 98 frequently reported physical stress reactions was subjected to factor analysis. The instrument was given to 1,210 subjects (593 males, 520 females, and 97 who failed to indicate their gender). The final factor solution identified 18 interpretable factors for the combined sample. Some of the more notable findings are: (a) Gastric Distress (Factor 1) is by far the most prominent factor and accounts for .491 of the total variance; (b) the factor solutions for males and females are highly similar, although Cardiorespiratory Activity (Factor 2) is defined by a greater diversity of noncardiac reactions for females than for males; and (c) six independent striated muscle tension factors can be identified for the entire sample. Results are discussed in terms of a behavioral conceptualization of psychosomatic symptoms. Clinical implications are noted.