Analyzing the Factors of Formation of Somatic Symptom Disorder in People with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Based on Grounded Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student of Health psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Counselling and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the effective factors in the formation of somatic symptom disorder in individuals with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
 
Method: The research adopted a qualitative approach based on grounded theory. Fifteen individuals with somatic symptom disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, aged 18-60, in Tehran city, who willingly participated in interviews, were selected through purposeful sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. Data analysis followed the method of Strauss and Corbin (2014) using MAXQDA software.
 
Findings: The research identified around 89 open codes, 8 axial codes, and 4 selective codes, including causal factors (destructive family interactions), contextual factors (child's emotional-cognitive characteristics), intervening factors (passive parenting-idealistic parenting), and strategies (child's behavioral-cognitive strategies).
 
Conclusion: Children's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral strategies in response to childhood trauma, particularly destructive family interactions and parenting styles, play a significant role in the formation and continuation of somatic symptom disorder. To prevent somatic symptom disorder in children, interventions may focus on improving family interactions, while for adults with somatic symptom disorder, effective strategies for regulating emotions and thoughts, along with changes in interactions, can be considered in treatment.

Keywords


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