University pressure and socio-economic factors- good predictors of somatic complaints in university students?
Küçük Resim Yok
Tarih
2022
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
T.C. Maltepe Üniversitesi
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Özet
Background: Psychosomatic disorder is a psychological condition characterized by a manifestation of various nonspecific and ambiguous somatic symptoms that cannot be explained by any organic pathology. These somatic complaints are highly prevalent in young, healthy populations and although very common, can cause much distress and feelings of guilt and misunderstanding. The aim of our study was to estimate the percentage of university students in Skopje, North Macedonia suffering from somatic complaints and/or disorders and to try and find association between these symptoms with various factors from the personal and professional lives of these students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was designed. For this goal, an online Google Forms survey was created containing the PHQ - 15(Patient Health Questionnaire), which contains 15 questions that pertain to various psychosomatic symptoms the students might have experienced during the last 7 days. The score can range from 0-30, with >5 indicating mild, >10 moderate and >15 severe somatization. In addition to these 15 questions, the study contained 20 other questions which aimed to provide information about the previous mental health profile of the participants (including previous history of psychosomatic complaints), the current socio- economic circumstances of the students, as well as the academic profile of each student. The Google Forms survey was open from the 17th of February to the 27th of March 2022. The survey was distributed among university students in Skopje, North Macedonia. Results: There were a total of 181 participants in the study, out of whom, 25 met the PHP-15 criteria for a psychosomatic disorder. There were significant correlations between somatization symptoms and underperforming in university according to ones self- expectations(OR=4.09;CI=1.69-9.9;p=0.0018), previous history of similar somatic complaints(OR=3.73;CI=1.54-9.03;p=0.0035),working full time while studying(OR=3.34;CI=1.4-7.93;p=0.0062) and placing very high importance on university studies in one's life(OR=2.75;CI=1.16-6.54;p=0.0217). Conclusion: Our study determined that almost a sixth of the participating university students met the criteria for psychosomatic disorder. Despite this, especially in young populations, these symptoms can be seen as banal, hypochondriac complaints even by experienced clinicians. This is very important as psychosomatic disorders have high burden on the social and professional functioning of the sufferers, reducing everyday performance and general well- being, prompting a more careful approach by clinicians when encountering individuals with such symptoms.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
Psychosomatic disorder, university students, somatic complaints
Kaynak
Maltepe Üniversitesi Tıbbi Bilimler ve Hemşirelik Uluslararası Öğrenci Kongresi
WoS Q Değeri
Scopus Q Değeri
Cilt
Sayı
Künye
Radenkov, I., Gavrilova, N. ve Mladenoska, N. (2022). University pressure and socio-economic factors- good predictors of somatic complaints in university students?. Thomas, P.B., Öner, Ç., Avcı Alpar, D. ve Erkut, Z. (Ed.). Maltepe Üniversitesi Tıbbi Bilimler ve Hemşirelik Uluslararası Öğrenci Kongresi içinde (ss. 40). İstanbul: T.C: Maltepe Üniversitesi.
