Journal of Traumatic Stress
Volume 23, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 615-622

The relationship between somatization and posttraumatic symptoms among immigrants receiving primary care services (Article)

Aragona M.* , Catino E. , Pucci D. , Carrer S. , Colosimo F. , Lafuente M. , Mazzetti M. , Maisano B. , Geraci S.
  • a Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy
  • b Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy
  • c Sapienza University, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Italy
  • d Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy
  • e Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy
  • f Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy
  • g Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy
  • h Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy
  • i Caritas Health Service Network and Chair of Philosophy of Psychopathology, Sapienza University, Italy

Abstract

Traumatic experiences and somatization are related in studies on complex trauma, though this relation is rarely studied in immigrants. The relationship between somatization and self-reported traumatic experiences and posttraumatic symptoms in patients attending a primary care service for immigrants was studied. The sample consisted of 101 patients attending a primary healthcare service dedicated to immigrants. Participants completed two self-assessment questionnaires specifically designed for use in transcultural research: the Bradford Somatic Inventory and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Both were translated and back-translated into eight languages. Somatization was significantly related to traumatic events and posttraumatic symptoms. In primary care centers for immigrants, physicians should give particular attention to somatization as a possible sign of unreported posttraumatic symptoms. Copyright © 2010 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

psychological aspect human middle aged Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire Article Questionnaires adult migration posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Italy Somatoform Disorders somatoform disorder pathophysiology primary health care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77958516435&doi=10.1002%2fjts.20571&partnerID=40&md5=4cc3aedf2fbb0fa56b6c60cddeed7b87
DOI: 10.1002/jts.20571
ISSN: 08949867
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English