Somatization disorders among Indians in Jamaica and Trinidad and its association with social and psychological factors

ABSTRACT

Data on presence of somatization disorder, depression, anxiety, distress, stigma associated with having somatic symptoms, having a female somatizing relative, a history of domestic violence, sexual abuse and the presence of an alcoholic spouse was collected from Indo Trinidadians and Indo Jamaicans. Within the entire sample elevated somatization was reported by 27.5% of the sample. Thirty percent (30%) had elevated scores of distress, 26% for depression, 10.5% for anxiety and 15.5% gave history of domestic violence, 7.5% reported stigma and 9% had a history of sexual abuse. Chi-square analyses revealed a significant moderate relationship exists between depression and somatization, there was a P value of .000 (Chi-square (1) = 45.580. p<0.05). There was also a significant relationship between somatization disorder and anxiety for the entire sample ( Chi-square (1) = 22.710, p<0.00). A moderate relationship existed between somatization disorder and distress (chi-square (1) = 28.691, p<0.00). A statistically significant relationship was found between persons feeling that they are weak or worth less than others if they have somatic symptoms and the presence of somatization disorder (Chi-square (1) = 8.591, p=0.03).