Prediction of Somatization Disorder on the Basis of Personality Traits and Alexithymia

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Somatization is a somatoform disorder, which medical examinations are not able to explain its reason. This study was conducted with the purpose of clarifying the role of personal traits and alexithymia in somatization disorder. Methods: The present research was performed as a descriptive correlational study. In this investigation, 350 subjects were selected through stratified random sampling method. In the current study, NEO Personality Inventory-revised (NEO PI-R), somatization PHQ-15 questionnaire, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 were used. Data were analyzed using simultaneous regression analysis. Results: In this study, there was a significant negative relationship between somatization and five factors of extraversion. Also, neuroticism and alexithymia had significant positive relationships with somatization. There wasnot any relationship between openness to experience and personality traits. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that with strengthening individual's social relationships and training the methods of expressing feelings, steps can be taken towards preventing somatization.

Keywords

• somatoform disorders
• affective symptoms
• personality