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PeerJ 2022Previous studies have shown that an increased prevalence of mental illness can be found among medical and dental students. Among these, somatization symptoms are...
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have shown that an increased prevalence of mental illness can be found among medical and dental students. Among these, somatization symptoms are severely understudied. The present study examined the prevalence of somatization symptoms in a subpopulation of medical and dental students and aimed at finding associated risk and resilience factors.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-reporting questionnaire, including the SOMS-2, the Becks-Depression-Inventory-II (BDI-II), the NEO-Five-Factor-Inventory, and a questionnaire on socio-demographics for possible risk and resilience factors. A total of 271 medical and dental students of a mid-sized German university completed the questionnaire.
RESULTS
The Somatization index yielded a mean of 9.12 symptoms for the total sample, which is 1.2 SD higher than the reported norm. A total of 50.7% of the medical students and 63.6% of the dental students transcend a critical somatization score. Significant positive associations for eight general risk factors, four university related stress factors, and a significant negative association for seven resilience factors were found.
CONCLUSION
Medical and even more dental students at the studied university showed a high burden of somatoform complaints. Also, factors were found that could be of etiological relevance and others that could be used to enhance resilience. Both could present an opportunity for the prevention of somatization disorders but prospective and multicenter studies with an aged-matched comparison group are needed to obtain a more accurate overview.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Depression; Students, Dental; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Universities
PubMed: 36003309
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13803 -
Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Nov 2023Patients with functional disorders (FD) often experience cognitive problems such as forgetfulness and distractibility alongside physical symptoms that cannot be...
INTRODUCTION
Patients with functional disorders (FD) often experience cognitive problems such as forgetfulness and distractibility alongside physical symptoms that cannot be attributed to a known somatic disease.
METHOD
Test scores of cognitive tests and psychiatric rating scales of 100 outpatients diagnosed with a functional disorder were compared to a control group (n = 300) of patients with other diagnoses and to test norms for the general population.
RESULTS
Out of the 100 patients with functional disorders, 59 reported significant subjective cognitive symptoms. A moderate difference (d = 0.5-0.7) was found between the FD group mean and the population mean in processing speed tests, as well as in four psychiatric rating scales (depression, anxiety, phobias, somatisation) but there were no statistically significant differences in verbal and nonverbal reasoning or in logical memory. Somatisation and logical verbal memory scores were higher in the FD group compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study suggest that a decline in processing speed is a central feature in the cognitive profile of patients with functional disorders.
Topics: Humans; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Memory; Memory Disorders; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
PubMed: 37889124
DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2023.2275336 -
Clinical Psychology in Europe Jun 2022Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS; i.e. symptoms without sufficient organic explanation) often begin in childhood and adolescence and are common to this developmental...
BACKGROUND
Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS; i.e. symptoms without sufficient organic explanation) often begin in childhood and adolescence and are common to this developmental period. Emotion regulation and parental factors seem to play a relevant role in the development and maintenance of FSS. So far, little systematic research has been conducted in childhood and adolescence on the importance of specific emotion regulation strategies and their links with parental factors.
METHOD
In two studies, children and adolescents (Study 1/Study 2: N = 46/68; 65%/60% female, Age M = 10.0/13.1) and their parents completed questionnaires on children's FSS and adaptive and maladaptive emotional regulation (in Study 2, additionally parental somatization and child/parental alexithymia).
RESULTS
In both studies, child-reported FSS were negatively associated with children's adaptive emotion regulation (r = -.34/-.31, p < .03; especially acceptance) and positively with children's maladaptive emotion regulation and alexithymia (r = .53/.46, p < .001). Moreover, children's maladaptive emotion regulation (β = .34, p = .02) explained incremental variance in child-reported FSS beyond children's age/sex, parental somatization and emotion regulation. In contrast, parental somatization was the only significant predictor (β = .44, p < .001) of parent-reported FSS in children/adolescents.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that particularly rumination and alexithymia and parental somatization are important predictors of FSS in children/adolescents. Overall, the results showed a dependence on the person reporting children's FSS (i.e., method-variance). So, for future studies it is relevant to continue using the multi-informant approach.
PubMed: 36397947
DOI: 10.32872/cpe.4299 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022Adults who have histories of childhood trauma have been noted to display greater somatization, dissociative symptoms and affect dysregulation. What happens in the...
INTRODUCTION
Adults who have histories of childhood trauma have been noted to display greater somatization, dissociative symptoms and affect dysregulation. What happens in the parent-child relationship when those traumatized children become parents? A potential link to somatization in the child has been suggested by several prior studies. Children who have early attachment disturbances had more physical complaints if their mothers displayed less maternal sensitivity during observed parent-child interactions. Yet, the intergenerational link between maternal and child somatization has not been sufficiently explored in a longitudinal study in order to understand the potential impact of maternal trauma history and related psychopathology on subsequent child somatization and psychopathology.
METHODS
This paper examined prospective, longitudinal data of 64 mother-toddler dyads (mean age = 2.4 years, SD = 0.7) who were later studied when children had a mean age of 7 years. Mothers with and without histories of interpersonal violence (IPV; physical/sexual abuse and/or family violence exposure) were included. Mothers with IPV histories were oversampled. Linear and Poisson regression models were used to test the associations between maternal IPV-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with maternal somatization severity when children were toddlers, and between maternal somatization and maternal interactive behaviors with child somatization by maternal report and clinician-rated assessment at school-age.
RESULTS
Maternal PTSD severity was significantly associated with increased maternal somatization severity ( = 0.031). Maternal somatization severity during the child's early childhood predicted both maternal report of child somatization ( = 0.011) as well as child thought problems ( = 0.007) when children were school-aged. No association was found between maternal somatization and child-reported psychopathology. The study did not find that maternal alexithymia, caregiving behaviors or child exposure to violence contributed significantly to the model examining the association between maternal and child somatization.
CONCLUSION
The results are in line with the hypothesis of intergenerational transmission of somatization in the context of IPV and related maternal PTSD during formative early development. We interpret this as an expression of psychological distress from mother to child, as maternal trauma and pathology affect the caregiving environment and, thus, the parent-child relationship. The authors conclude with a discussion of implications for parent-infant and early childhood intervention.
PubMed: 35280182
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.820652 -
Aging & Mental Health Dec 2021This study explored key factors that influence mental health in older people in Botswana. The prevalence of anxiety and somatization in the elderly population was also...
OBJECTIVE
This study explored key factors that influence mental health in older people in Botswana. The prevalence of anxiety and somatization in the elderly population was also calculated.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study stratified by district was done to collect information on the elderly ( = 378; age: = 71.8, SD = 9.1). The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) measures were used to collect data on the outcome variables (somatization and anxiety). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the associations among the predictor variables and each of the outcome variables.
RESULTS
The prevalence of anxiety and somatization in older people was 18.6% and 25.3%. The correlates significantly associated with somatization in the final model after adjusting for all influencing factors were: area of residence (rural) (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4-5), self-perceived health, non-medication use, self-esteem, and mastery. With regards to anxiety, non-medication use (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0-0.9), lack of social support, low self-esteem (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.6 - 9.4), and poor QOL (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9) were significantly associated with anxiety.
CONCLUSIONS
Eradicating poverty, provision of services, promoting positive emotions, changing health perceptions and QOL may augment mental health in older people.
Topics: Aged; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Botswana; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Mental Health; Prevalence; Quality of Life
PubMed: 32969266
DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1822289 -
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral... May 2024The comorbidities between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and somatization and their associations with personality traits, emotional disorders, and sleep disturbances...
OBJECTIVE
The comorbidities between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and somatization and their associations with personality traits, emotional disorders, and sleep disturbances were investigated.
STUDY DESIGN
Adults aged 18 to 24 years completed an electronic survey encompassing TMD symptoms (5Ts), Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Big Five Personality Inventory-10, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were assessed using non-parametric tests/correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis (α = 0.05).
RESULTS
The sample comprised 365 participants, of whom 22.2% and 19.5% were 5Ts-negative without and with somatization, respectively, and 18.1% and 40.3% were 5Ts-positive without and with somatization, respectively. Significant differences in neuroticism, distress, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality were observed between 5Ts-negative participants with somatization and 5Ts-positive participants with somatization compared with 5Ts-negative participants without somatization and 5Ts-positive participants without somatization. Distress, anxiety, stress, and sleep were moderately correlated with somatic but not TMD symptoms (r = 0.45-0.52).
CONCLUSIONS
Irrespective of whether they had TMDs, participants with somatization exhibited heightened levels of neuroticism and emotional and sleep disturbances.
Topics: Humans; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Female; Male; Somatoform Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Adolescent; Comorbidity; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Personality Inventory; Personality; Patient Health Questionnaire
PubMed: 38480071
DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2024.01.017 -
Archives of Rheumatology Dec 2019This study aims to present two major psychological factors, namely depression and somatization, which may occur with high probability in patients with refractory lateral...
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to present two major psychological factors, namely depression and somatization, which may occur with high probability in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis (LE).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 36 patients (11 males, 25 females; mean age 42.6±8.09 years; range 26 to 60 years) diagnosed as refractory LE. Duration of symptoms was >6 months. Each patient completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised test evaluating psychosocial status and somatization, respectively.
RESULTS
Depression was found in 24 (66.6%) (moderate in 15 [41.7%] and mild in 9 [25%]) and somatization was found in 28 (77.8%) patients. Depression and somatization were significantly more common in females than males (p=0.02 and p=0.04, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Depression and somatization may occur frequently in refractory LE patients, particularly in females. Both physical and psychological assessment tools should be incorporated into the clinical evaluation while psychological support should be included in the treatment of refractory LE.
PubMed: 32010884
DOI: 10.5606/ArchRheumatol.2019.7139 -
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Mar 2022Abdominal bloating is common in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). To better characterize this patient population, we evaluated clinical and psychological...
BACKGROUND
Abdominal bloating is common in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). To better characterize this patient population, we evaluated clinical and psychological characteristics of bloating and analyzed their differences by bloating severity.
METHODS
Patients with FGIDs evaluated at a single academic outpatient referral gastroenterology clinic were surveyed. Bloating severity was classified as minimal, moderate or severe. Symptom-specific questionnaires were used to evaluate bowel habits, abdominal bloating, depression, anxiety, somatization and sleep disturbance. Associations between bloating severity, clinical characteristics and FGID subtypes were analyzed in univariate and multivariate modeling.
KEY RESULTS
Of 612 FGID patients included (78% female, mean age of 44 ± 16.5 years), bloating was reported as minimal in 231(37.8%), moderate in 217(35.4%), or severe in 164(26.8%). Patients with severe bloating were more likely to be female, younger, and have co-existing functional dyspepsia than those with minimal bloating (p < 0.05). Bloating severity and severity of abdominal distension were significantly correlated (p < 0.05). On multivariable regression, patients who met criteria for functional constipation and functional dyspepsia had 80% and 125% higher odds, respectively, of severe bloating compared to minimal to moderate bloating. Younger age, abdominal pain and constipation severity, and somatization scores were also independently associated with severity of bloating.
CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES
Severe bloating is associated with younger age, and with more severe abdominal pain, constipation, and somatization. Patients who met criteria for functional constipation and functional dyspepsia are more likely to experience severe bloating.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Constipation; Dyspepsia; Female; Flatulence; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34431184
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14229 -
Psychopathology Jun 2024Somatization in immigrants is frequent but standard studies do not differentiate between various forms of somatization. In this qualitative study, we used an...
INTRODUCTION
Somatization in immigrants is frequent but standard studies do not differentiate between various forms of somatization. In this qualitative study, we used an idealtypical approach with the aim of phenomenologically differentiating between different forms of somatization in immigrants.
METHODS
The clinical description of the ideal types was based on seven levels: medical examination; description of somatization symptoms; the patients' own interpretation of their somatic experience; concomitant psychopathological phenomena; genetic understanding; clinician's interpretation; and course and treatment.
RESULTS
Five different ideal typologies of patients emerged: anxious hypochondriasis, somatization with cultural features playing a pathogenetic role, culturally shaped somatization (through pathoplastic effects), somatization as part of adjustment reactions due to migratory living difficulties, and somatization as post-traumatic reaction.
CONCLUSION
These differences are useful to highlight the complex interrelationship between socioeconomic, migratory, cultural, and value factors in the construction of somatization among immigrants. Implications for research methodology, nosology, clinical management, and organization of medical facilities are also discussed.
PubMed: 38834033
DOI: 10.1159/000538460 -
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry Apr 2022The study of factors affecting anxiety and depression as the most common emotional disorders has always been at the forefront of psychological research. Among different...
The study of factors affecting anxiety and depression as the most common emotional disorders has always been at the forefront of psychological research. Among different factors, alexithymia and somatization have considerable importance due to their emotional nature with makes them more integrated with anxiety and depression. Several studies have demonstrated a link between these four concepts, but as far as we know, the quality of the relationship has not been addressed yet. The present paper aims to investigate the mediating role of somatization in the structural relationship of alexithymia with anxiety and depression. A total of 334 college students were recruited through cluster sampling and were asked to complete the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Somatization Subscale from the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using correlational as well as structural equation modeling. Based on the correlation analysis, there was significant relationship between alexithymia, somatization, anxiety, and depression. According to the results of regression weights, there is a moderate relationship between alexithymia and somatization (regression weight = 0.44). The relationship between somatization and depression is at moderate level (regression weight = 0.42) and the relationship of somatization with anxiety is at strong level (regression weight = 0.85). the goodness of fit indices for the hypothetical model showed significant coefficients at P < 0.05 (CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.059). Findings indicated the important and influential role of somatization in explaining the relationship of alexithymia with anxiety and depression. Therefore, it seems that emotional components such as difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions as well as regulating mood states are important in the psychopathology of emotional disorders.
PubMed: 36262762
DOI: 10.18502/ijps.v17i2.8904