No evidence for interactions between modern health worries, negative affect, and somatic symptom distress in general
Ferenc Köteles1, Renáta Szemerszky1, Michael Witthöft2
1Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Objective:
Three theoretically grounded hypotheses were tested that predict interactions between modern health worries (MHWs), somatic symptom distress, and negative affect.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Main Outcome Measures:
Hypotheses were tested in a representative German sample (n = 2306) and a near-representative Swedish sample (n = 3406). Participants completed the 12-item Modern Health Worries Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire 15-Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale (both samples), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item Depression Scale (German sample), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Swedish sample).
Results:
According to the results obtained from the two samples, MHWs were only weakly associated with somatic symptoms and negative affectivity. Frequentist and Bayesian linear regression analyses showed an interaction only in one case. All other factors being equal, individuals high on somatic symptoms and MHWs did not experience disproportionately less anxiety or depression; those high on MHWs and negative affect were characterized by disproportionately more symptoms in the German sample but not in the Swedish sample; and high level of negative affect did not strengthen the positive association between somatic symptoms and MHWs.
Conclusion:
Based on data from two large community samples, temporal stability of MHWs cannot be explained by somatic symptom distress and negative affectivity.
Related Concept Videos
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder


