Somatization, dissociation, and tension-reducing behaviors in psychiatric outpatients.

BACKGROUND

Conceptual and methodological difficulties exist in assessing coping behaviors.

METHODS

This study investigated coping behaviors in 102 psychiatric outpatients. We used the Dissociative Experiences Scale, a 17-item posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist; 2 measures of somatization (the Wahler Physical Symptom Inventory and the Physical Symptom Questionnaire), and 21 questions about subject involvement in positive and pathologic tension-reducing behaviors.

RESULTS

Preliminary data suggest that dissociative symptoms, PTSD-like symptoms, and somatization are associated with a variety of positive and pathologic tension-reducing behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that psychiatric outpatients have an array of coping behavior: some are health-promoting, others are relatively self-destructive.