SOMATIC COMPLAINTS IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS - SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS

The literature was reviewed dealing with the influence of socio-economic and cultural factors on somatization of emotional problems. The assumption was proposed that there exists considerable interdependence and congruence between those two factors, at least so in countries with mixed populations. The influence exerted by both these factors on somatization should, therefore, be investigated simultaneously. Based on this assumption, 486 patients of an Israel psychiatric out-patient service were examined as to correlation of somatization to ethnic origin as well as to level of education, while one of the two factors was controlled alternately. (Level of education served as criterion of social status.) The main finding showed a converse relation between somatization and level of education, with statistical significance reached merely for patients hailing from oriental countries. For this statistical difference a speculative explanation was proposed on sociological-historical grounds. No correlation was established between degree of somatization and ethnic origin. It was concluded, therefore, that the higher incidence of somatic complaints found with the patients of one 72150 ethnic group is mainly due to the congruence of the two environmental factors. It was pointed out that before any generalizations can be made these findings ought to be validated by simultaneous examination of other mixed populations as to socio-economic and cultural factors involved in somatization. © 1968, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.