International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

The Prediction of Somatic Symptom Disorder based on Social Isolation and Fear of Contracting COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Perceived Anxiety

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ahmad Ansarifar
Isaac Rahimian-Boogar
Siavash Talepasand
Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2024.427928.2053
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to predict somatic symptom disorder based on social isolation and fear of contracting corona with the mediating role of perceived anxiety.
Method: The design of the present study was descriptive-correlational and structural equation modelling. The statistical population of the study included Iranian adults who lived in Tehran in 2022. Among them, 437 adults were selected by convenience sampling method. Subjects filled Somatic Symptom Experience, Social Isolation, Fear of COVID-19, and Perceived Anxiety questionnaires. After data collection, the relationship between variables was examined using SPSS and AMOS software.
Results: The findings suggest that the social isolation is only directly related to somatic symptoms (P <0.01 andβ=0.52). Fear of COVID-19 is directly related to somatic symptom (P <0.01 and =β=0.22). Perceived anxiety is directly related to somatic symptom (P <0.01 and =β=0.42) and social isolation and fear of COVID-19 indirectly correlated with the mediating role of Perceived Anxiety, linked to somatic symptom.
Conclusion: Social isolation and fear of COVID-19 (both directly and indirectly, by influencing Perceived Anxiety), which may indicate this factors plays a crucial role in somatic symptom.
Keywords
Medically Unexplained Symptoms
Social Isolation
COVID-19
Fear
Anxiety
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 18, Issue 2
Summer 2024
Pages 60-67