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Do somatic complaints mask negative affect in youth?
1University of Missouri in Kansas City, USA.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Young adults experiencing somatization, or physical complaints, may show more psychological distress. This study suggests physical symptoms and psychological distress exist on a continuum in college students.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Medical Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescence to early adulthood is a high-risk period for somatization.
- Historically, physical complaints in youth were viewed as defense mechanisms against negative emotions.
- Emerging research suggests somatic complaints may exist on a continuum with psychological symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between psychological distress and somatic complaints in undergraduate students.
- To test the hypothesis that physical complaints covary with overt psychological symptomatology.
- To explore the continuum perspective of somatization in a college student population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Survey methodology administered to undergraduate students.
- Analysis of the association between multiple dimensions of psychological distress and somatic complaints.
Main Results:
- Higher reporting of physical symptoms was significantly associated with greater psychological distress.
- Findings support the continuum perspective, where physical and psychological symptoms are interrelated.
- Somatization in college students appears linked to broader psychological distress.
Conclusions:
- Physical complaints in college students may be better understood as part of a spectrum of psychological distress.
- Results have implications for healthcare services in university settings.
- Further research is needed to understand the developmental trajectory of somatization.