Table 3.

Ten latent factors explaining items in four MSS surveys (N=614).

Latent Factors	Core vs Assoc. MSS	# Items †	Factor loading range	Item contents
Smell/Tactile Sensitivity	Core	9	(0.31, 0.64)	sensitivity or avoidance to smell or being bothered by clothing and tactile sensations
Sound/Startle Sensitivity	Core	8	(0.37, 0.76)	sensitivity to sounds or being easily startled by sound
Internal Body Sensitivity	Core	6	(0.30, 0.48)	sensitivity to somatic or body sensations
Food /Texture Sensitivity	Core	3	(0.41, 0.86)	sensitivity to food textures
Easily Stressed	Associated	12	(0.31, 0.62)	becoming easily mentally overwhelmed by life.
Avoids Crowds	Associated	8	(0.31, 0.67)	avoiding crowded situations
Easily Distracted	Associated	6	(0.53, 0.73)	impact of bothersome distractions, e.g. in workplace situations
Vestibular Sensitivity	Associated	7	(0.36, 0.78)	sensitivity to, or avoidance of, movement such as elevator or cars
Aesthetic Sensitivity	Associated	6	(0.40, 0.65)	aesthetic awareness, such as being “moved by arts and movies”
Fear	Associated	3	(0.31, 0.37)	Fear to heights, pain and violent videos

^†Items with factor loadings ≥ 0.30 on the corresponding latent factor.