The association of experience of violence and somatization, depression, and alexithymia: a sample of women with medically unexplained symptoms in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the levels of somatization, depression as well as alexithymia, and MUS in women going through violence experience in three contexts (childhood, adulthood, and both childhood and adulthood). The study was performed on 180 patients attending the Internal Medicine Department of Istanbul University Medical Faculty. The data of women with MUS (n = 50) were compared those of women with acute physical conditions (n = 46) and chronic physical conditions (n = 84). Semi-structured Interview Form, Childhood Abuse and Neglect Inventory, Brief Symptom Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale were administered. The levels of somatization and depression were found to be higher in women who were exposed to emotional abuse (EA) and physical abuse (PA) in adulthood in the MUS group compared with those of the women exposed to EA and PA in adulthood in the other groups. The levels of somatization, depression, and alexithymia in the MUS group exposed to childhood emotional abuse (CEA) were also higher than those in the controls exposed to CEA. The levels of somatization and alexithymia in the MUS group who were exposed to childhood physical abuse (CPA) were higher than those in the controls exposed to CPA. The levels of somatization and depression in the MUS group who were exposed to violence both in childhood and in adulthood were higher than those in the controls who experienced violence both in childhood and in adulthood. Most women exposed to domestic violence present to health care institutions with various physical and psychological symptoms in Turkey. So, it is important that health caregivers also ask questions about experiences of violence and psychological symptoms in women presenting with medically unexplained symptoms.

Examining the relationships between childhood abuse history, attachment, and health anxiety

“…Previous research has also identified a link between childhood abuse experiences and HA (Anuk and Bahadir, 2018; Bailer et al, 2014; Barsky et al, 1994; Brown et al, 2005; Fiddler et al, 2004; Haugaard, 2004; Reiser et al, 2014; Salmon and Calderbank, 1996; Taycan et al, 2014; Weck et al, 2014). Specifically, relationships have been found between childhood sexual and physical abuse and two components of HA (i.e.…”

Local perceptions of mental health in Iran, Semnan Province

“…Another study by Dilek et al on depression symptoms was conducted using semistructured interviews. The results of the study indicated that signs of somatization, aggression, and violence were common symptoms of depression (Anuk & Bahadır, 2018).…”

Somatosensory amplification, health anxiety and pain catastrophizing in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal system pain

“…Only the differences for the working and economic status were significant between the groups. There are studies in the literature reporting that there were associations between somatization and anxiety and that individuals with a low educational status had higher somatization and anxiety levels (4,5). In addition, it was reported that anxiety level was higher and the threshold for tolerating the anxiety was lower in female gender (4).…”

“…Across different cultures throughout the world, physical symptoms are the most common form for an individual to express emotional distress and social problems (5). One of the somatic symptoms that are difficult to explain medically is common musculoskeletal pain (6).…”