ORIGINAL PAPER
Psychosomatic symptoms associated with traumatic events experienced in medical students
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1
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
(Department of Clinical Psychology)
2
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poznań, Poland
(Department of Cognitive Psychology)
3
Not Seen On Me Foundation, Warsaw, Poland
Online publication date: 2023-10-16
Corresponding author
Maia Stanisławska-Kubiak
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Psychology, Bukowska 70, 60-812 Poznań, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(5):606-17
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Many facts indicate the important role of psychosomatic symptoms that occur due to traumatic events. This study is an analysis of
the coexistence of psychosomatic symptoms and traumatic events. Though not every person taking part in these events develops a fully symptomatic
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosomatic symptoms with a strong psychological component are observed in many. This study
focuses on a comparison of the intensity of somatization, anxiety, depression, and distress of medical university students, who encountered a traumatic
event and those who have not experienced trauma. Material and Methods: The data was collected from 594 students of different academic
majors at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. The participants were asked if they had experienced situations that caused psychological
trauma as well as about the intensity of their psychosomatic symptoms. The data was collected with 2 questionnaires: Post-traumatic Stress
Diagnostic Scale and Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire. Results: The study reveals that 78% of students experienced a traumatic event, in
15% moderate and severe symptoms of PTSD are observed, 45% presents average and high stress levels, 23% experiences symptoms of depression, whereas 30% has anxiety and 26% somatic symptoms. Conclusions: Studies show that experiencing traumatic events in life is linked to the higher
intensity of an/the entire range of psychosomatic symptoms. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(5):606–17