Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2025
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
12.9K
High Perceived Stress and Low Self-Efficacy are Associated with Functional Somatic Disorders: The DanFunD Study
Marie Weinreich Petersen1,2, Tina Birgitte Wisbech Carstensen1,2, Lisbeth Frostholm1,2
1Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Clinical Epidemiology
|April 3, 2023
Summary
Functional somatic disorders (FSD) are linked to higher perceived stress and lower self-efficacy. These findings highlight stress as a key component of FSD, emphasizing the need for resilience-focused interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Functional somatic disorders (FSD) encompass conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, chronic widespread pain, and chronic fatigue.
- While psychological factors are implicated in FSD, large population-based studies are scarce.
- Understanding the interplay between psychological factors and FSD is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between FSD and perceived stress and self-efficacy.
- To compare psychological factors in FSD patients with those in individuals with severe physical diseases.
- To explore the role of neuroticism in the relationship between FSD, stress, and self-efficacy.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of a random adult Danish population sample (n=9656).
- FSD were identified using self-reported questionnaires and diagnostic interviews.
- Perceived stress and self-efficacy were measured using validated scales; data analyzed with generalized linear and linear regression models.
Main Results:
- FSD showed a positive association with perceived stress and a negative association with self-efficacy.
- These associations were particularly pronounced in multi-organ FSD types and chronic fatigue.
- Neuroticism significantly influenced the association with self-efficacy, rendering it insignificant when controlled.
- Individuals with FSD reported higher perceived stress levels than those with severe physical diseases.
Conclusions:
- Perceived stress and self-efficacy are significantly associated with FSD.
- Stress may be an integral part of FSD symptomatology, underscoring the condition's severity.
- Resilience theory offers a valuable framework for understanding and addressing FSD.
Keywords:
chronic fatigue syndromefibromyalgiafunctional somatic disordersfunctional somatic syndromesirritable bowel syndromeperceived stresspopulation-basedself-efficacyMore Related Videos
09:37Chronic Stress Shifts Effort-Related Choice Behavior in a Y-Maze Barrier Task in Mice
Published on: August 13, 2020
11.3K
06:55An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
Published on: December 2, 2015
22.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I
80
Stress prevention and management are crucial for maintaining well-being and building resilience. Techniques to manage stress include cultivating qualities like conscientiousness, a sense of personal control, and self-efficacy. Each of these traits significantly reduces stress and promotes healthier lifestyle choices and outcomes.
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
80
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
18.4K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
18.4K
01:30Stress and Mental Health
189
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
189
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
150
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
150
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
84
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
84
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
51
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
51