Hand-grip strength predicts individuals' sexual and pathogen but not moral disgust sensitivity

Abstract Inter- and intra-individual variation in disgust sensitivity can be largely explained considering costs and benefits of coming into contact with potentially fitness-reducing factors. These costs and benefits should differ depending on individuals' biological condition, thus disgust sensitivity may depend on an individual's condition as well. Hand grip strength (HGS) is a measure of biological condition, that's been shown to correlate with many aspects related to current and future health. Thus, the aim of the study was to test if HGS predicts disgust sensitivity across three functionally specialized domains (pathogen, sexual, moral) in two separate studies. Study 1 included 132 healthy men and 90 women. Study 2 included 182 healthy women. In both studies, HGS was measured and disgust sensitivity was evaluated with the Three Domain Disgust Scale. Age and BMI were controlled and, additionally, in Study 2 health markers (hsCRP, IL-6), self-perceived attractiveness, cortisol and testosterone were controlled. Study 1 showed that HGS was negatively related with pathogen and sexual disgust, and HGS explained sex differences in sexual disgust domain. Study 2 confirmed this result for women, when controlled for potential confounders. When controlled for HGS, sexual disgust was also negatively related with women's age, muscle mass and self-perceived attractiveness.