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Determinants of somatization in primary care
K Bridges1, D Goldberg, B Evans
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester.
Psychological Medicine
|May 1, 1991
Summary
Primary care patients who somatize, or express distress through physical symptoms, differ from those who psychologize. Somatizers reported less depression and social dissatisfaction, but were less open to mental health treatment.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Somatization, the expression of psychological distress through physical symptoms, is prevalent in primary care.
- Understanding the determinants of somatization is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct characteristics and potential determinants differentiating somatizers from psychologizers in a primary care setting.
- To compare somatizers, psychologizers, and a control group based on psychological, social, and healthcare-seeking behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological sampling was used to recruit participants categorized as 'somatizers', 'psychologizers', and controls.
- Data collection involved assessing depression levels, social dissatisfaction, social stress, and attitudes towards mental illness.
Main Results:
- Somatizers exhibited lower depression and social dissatisfaction compared to psychologizers.
- Somatizers reported less dependence on relatives and a less sympathetic attitude towards mental illness.
- Somatizers were less likely to seek medical consultation for psychological symptoms and more likely to have received prior inpatient medical care.
Conclusions:
- Somatization in primary care is associated with specific psychosocial factors and healthcare-seeking patterns.
- Findings suggest that somatizers may present unique challenges in primary care due to their attitudes towards mental health and symptom expression.