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Dimensions of negative affectivity, self-reported somatic symptoms, and health-related behaviors

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  • Vassend, Olav

Abstract

This study focused on the relationship between personality dispositions, self-reported somatic symptoms, and health-related behaviors in undergraduate students. Findings are presented which indicate systematic correlations between health complaints and negative affectivity (NA), a common and pervasive mood disposition. Generally, there was a stronger relationship between NA and self-reported somatic symptoms than between NA and variables reflecting health-related behaviors, lifestyle, and general fitness. Significant correlations between health complaints and capacity for imaginative involvement (absorption), as well as self-reported measures of emotional inhibition, were also demonstrated. However, it is uncertain whether absorption and emotional inhibition properly belong to the NA construct. The results also indicated differences with respect to the strength of the associations between various dimensions of NA and particular types or classes of health complaitts. For example, cognitive anxiety (e.g. worry, ruminations, disturbing thoughts) was more strongly related to somatic complaints than behavioral (social avoidance) componebts of anxiety. Moreover, diffuse and widespread symptoms (e.g. weakness and fatigue) were more strongly associated with NA than more specific and localized symptoms, particularly musculo-skeletal complaints, although complaints belonging to the musculo-skeletal category obtained the highest group mean score. The results strongly suggest that a differentiated approach to the study of NA-symptom connections should be adopted.

Suggested Citation

  • Vassend, Olav, 1989. "Dimensions of negative affectivity, self-reported somatic symptoms, and health-related behaviors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 29-36, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:28:y:1989:i:1:p:29-36
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    Cited by:

    1. Schroeder, Ryan D. & Hill, Terrence D. & Haynes, Stacy Hoskins & Bradley, Christopher, 2011. "Physical health and crime among low-income urban women: An application of general strain theory," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 21-29.
    2. Katleen Bogaerts & Liselotte Rayen & Ann Lavrysen & Ilse Van Diest & Thomas Janssens & Koen Schruers & Omer Van den Bergh, 2015. "Unraveling the Relationship between Trait Negative Affectivity and Habitual Symptom Reporting," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Van Diest, Ilse & De Peuter, Steven & Eertmans, Audrey & Bogaerts, Katleen & Victoir, An & Van den Bergh, Omer, 2005. "Negative affectivity and enhanced symptom reports: Differentiating between symptoms in men and women," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(8), pages 1835-1845, October.
    4. Mei‐Chih Meg Tseng & Yi‐Ping Lin & Fu‐Chang Hu & Tsun‐Jen Cheng, 2013. "Risks Perception of Electromagnetic Fields in Taiwan: The Influence of Psychopathology and the Degree of Sensitivity to Electromagnetic Fields," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(11), pages 2002-2012, November.

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