Somatization, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life in Rural and Urban Russians

Occupation: Senior Lecturer of the School of Psychology, Senior Research Fellow of the International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation
Affiliation: HSE University
Address: Moscow, Myasnickaya str., b., 20

O. V. Smirnikova

Occupation: Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology
Affiliation: First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Yulia S. Vitko

Affiliation: National Research University Higher School of Economics
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Psikhologicheskii zhurnal

Edition

Volume 43 Issue 6

Pages

94-104

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization as potential risk factors for poor quality of life among rural and urban Russians. The participants were 319 rural (N = 158) and urban (N = 161) residents who completed measures assessing somatization, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life. Results showed that urban residents experienced more frequent and intense somatization (53.4% vs. 37.3%), anxiety (38.5% vs. 17.1%), and depressive symptoms (50.3% vs. 19.6%) than did rural residents. Both urban and rural residents complained equally about physical health (68.9% vs. 63.3%), but not mental health (18.1% vs. 17.7%). The relationship between quality of life and psychosomatic status is more complex among rural residents than among urban residents, as it depends on more potential risk factors. In conclusion, these patterns need further empirical testing, after which they can be used to develop medical and psychological assistance programs for the Russian population.

Keywords

somatization, psychological distress, quality of life, rural residents, urban residents, psychosomatic medicine, Russia

Publication date

22.12.2022

Number of characters

18381

Cite

GOST	Zolotareva A., Smirnikova O., Vitko Y. Somatization, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life in Rural and Urban Russians // Psikhologicheskii zhurnal – 2022. – V. 43. – Issue 6 C. 94-104 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://psy.jes.su/S020595920023648-8-1 (circulation date: 09.10.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S020595920023648-8
MLA	Zolotareva, Alena, Smirnikova, O. V., Vitko, Yulia S "Somatization, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life in Rural and Urban Russians." Psikhologicheskii zhurnal 43.6 (2022):94-104. DOI: 10.31857/S020595920023648-8
APA	Zolotareva A., Smirnikova O., Vitko Y. (2022). Somatization, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life in Rural and Urban Russians. Psikhologicheskii zhurnal 43(6), pp.94-104 DOI: 10.31857/S020595920023648-8

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