A community-based study of the relationship between somatic and psychological distress in Hong Kong

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2395049
AutoresSing Lee (0000-0002-9377-7390, Chinese University of Hong Kong, autor de correspondencia), Candi Mc Leung (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Candi M C Leung (0000-0002-3505-4653, Chinese University of Hong Kong), Kathleen Ps Kwok (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Kathleen Kwok (Chinese University of Hong Kong), King Lam Ng (University of Hong Kong)
Año2015
Volumen52
Número5
Páginas594-615
Fecha de publicación2015-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaTranscultural Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1363-4615 • E-ISSN: 1461-7471
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1363461515569756
PMID25665587
OpenAlexW2007830238
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas49

Although the predominantly somatic presentation of distress has been used to explain low rates of emotional illnesses and health service use in Chinese communities, this concept of somatization has not been examined by concurrently studying the profile of somatically and psychologically distressed Chinese individuals. A random population-based sample of 3014 adults underwent a structured telephone interview that examined their sociodemographic characteristics, somatic distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, PHQ-15), non-specific psychological distress (Kessler Scale-6, K6), health service use, and functional impairment. Four groups of individuals identified by PHQ-15 and K6 cut-off scores were compared. Results showed that PHQ-15 and K6 scores were positively correlated. The large majority of respondents (85.9%) reported both somatic and psychological distress. The proportions of Low Distress Group, Somatically Distressed Group, Psychologically Distressed Group, and Mixed Distress Group were 69.2%, 5.0%, 15.8%, and 10.0%, respectively. Specific age range, male gender, greater family income, higher education level, and retirement were associated with decreased odds of somatic and/or psychological distress. Although psychological distress best predicted impairment, somatic distress best predicted health service use. Mixed distress predicted most impairment and health service use. Thus, psychological distress and somatic distress commonly coexist across Chinese sociodemographic groups. This speaks against the conventional notion of somatization and is consistent with recent findings of a higher prevalence of emotional illnesses in Chinese people. That psychologically distressed individuals are more impaired but less inclined to seek help than somatically distressed individuals may partly explain low levels of help-seeking for mental disorders found in epidemiological studies

Distress · Mental health · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological distress · Socioeconomic status · Somatization · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments