| Abstract [eng] |
Researchers investigating the psychological mechanisms underlying the expression of somatic symptoms emphasize the importance of personality functioning and emotional factors, highlighting the role of mentalization. However, the mechanisms explaining these relationships among young adults remain inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of the relationships between somatic symptoms, mentalization, and personality functioning in young adulthood. Data from 148 young adults aged 18–29 years (M = 23,24, SD = 3,38) were analyzed (women – 76,30%, n = 112; men – 23,70%, n = 36). The following instruments were used for data collection: the Patient Health Questionnaire–15 (PHQ-15); the Mentalization Scale (MentS); the Level of Personality Functioning Scale – Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF 2.0); and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Regression analyses revealed that psychological distress was a significant and the strongest predictor of somatic symptom severity. The self-functioning dimension predicted somatic symptom severity in multiple linear regression; however, in hierarchical regression, when distress was controlled for, its effect on somatic symptom severity became non-significant. The results of the mediation analysis showed that the level of self-functioning was indirectly associated with somatic symptom severity through the mediating factor of psychological distress. A deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying somatic symptom expression in young adulthood may be important for identifying more effective forms of assistance and contributing to the development of preventive and intervention measures. |
