Citation

Garnefski N, van Rood Y, De Roos C, Kraaij V. J. Clin. Psychol. Med. Settings 2017; 24(2): 144-151.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, P. O. Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10880-017-9494-y

PMID

28508141

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between traumatic life events, specific cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and present somatic complaints. The sample consisted of 465 adults from the general population. The participants filled in online self-report questionnaires with regard to somatic complaints (SCL-90), cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERQ) and traumatic life events. Multiple regression analysis was performed to study the relationships. The results showed that present somatic complaints were significantly related to the reporting of past negative events (such as loss and maltreatment) that still produce strong and negative feelings in the present. Somatic complaints were also significantly related to a more frequent use of maladaptive cognitive coping strategies, such as blaming oneself, ruminating, and catastrophizing about negative life events. Inquiring about unresolved traumatic memories and coping strategies can help guide a clinicians' approach to managing patients with somatic complaints that have no clear medical explanation.

Language: en

Keywords

Cognitive emotion regulation; Somatic complaints; Trauma