Psychosocial stressors in patients with Somatoform Disorders

Abstract

Objective: To identify and compare the various psychosocial stressors in patients presenting with somatoform
disorders during the last one year
Design: A retrospective (ex post facto) study.
Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in the Inpatient and out patient departments of the
Institute of Psychiatry, Rawalpindi General Hospital, from January to April 2004.
Subjects and Method: The sample consisted of 80 patients (40 male and 40 female) with somatoform
disorders. Life Events Scale (LES) and Axis-IV of DSM were used as instruments to study the various
psychosocial stressors.
Results: The findings suggested that female patients (M = 356.15, SD = 138.01) experience more life events as
compared to male patients (M = 317.6, SD = 103.48). There were non-significant differences between males
and females in terms of problems with the primary support group, social environment and economic difficulties.
However mean scores indicated that female patients (M=1.43, SD=. 87) experience more problems with
primary support group as compared to males (M =2.35, SD =1.09) whereas male patients (M= 1.50, SD=. 87)
have more problems with the social environment as compared to females (M=1.43, SD=. 87). Both male (M=.
87, SD=. 88) and female (M = .75, SD=. 59) patients showed preponderance with economic problems. Majority
of the patients presenting with somatization belonged to the younger age groups. Somatoform disorders were
more common among housewives and in males who were unemployed. There was a significant variation within
the educational status of the patients.
Conclusion: Psychosocial stressors are important causal factors for Somatoform disorders. People having
problems with the primary support group and social environment are twice likely to present with somatoform
disorders.
Key Words: Somatoform Disorder, Primary Support, Social Problems, Economic Problems