E-ISSN 2636-834X
 

Original Research 


The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills

Medine Koc, Fatih Seyran, Bahadir Genis, Burak Sirin, Nermin Gurhan, Behcet Cosar.

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Post-disaster somatization symptoms are common. But post- disaster somatization symptoms are one of the psychiatric symptoms that are usually ignored. This study evaluates the relationship between somatization disorder and empathy during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
METHOD: The study has a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study sample consisted of 1029 subjects, of whom 658 were healthcare workers and 371 non-healthcare workers. The study used the measurement tools of Somatization Scale, Empathy Quotient Scale, Perception of COVID-19 (sub-dimension; dangerousness, contagiousness), and Avoidance Attitudes from COVID-19 (sub- dimension; behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance).
RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of marital status (p<0.001). The perception that the COVID-19 may lead to dangerous outcomes was an important variable that predicted healthcare workers' somatization symptoms (p<0.001). There was no significant relationship between somatization symptoms and the perception of COVID-19 dangerousness in non-healthcare workers (p=0.097). An increased risk perception associated with COVID-19 both in healthcare workers and other workers was found to have a reducing effect on the empathy ability of individuals.
CONCLUSIONS: The vicious circle between somatization symptoms and perception of danger is a serious problem for healthcare workers. The study concludes that a reduced ability of empathy and an increase in cognitive avoidance from an increased danger perception observed in healthcare and non-healthcare workers may distort interpersonal relations.

Key words: COVID-19, Somatic Symptoms, Empathy, Avoidance Behavior, Healthcare Workers


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Koc M, Seyran F, Genis B, Sirin B, Gurhan N, Cosar B. The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills. PBS. 2021; 11(2): 121-129. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757


Web Style

Koc M, Seyran F, Genis B, Sirin B, Gurhan N, Cosar B. The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills. https://www.pbsciences.org/?mno=60519 [Access: December 17, 2023]. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Koc M, Seyran F, Genis B, Sirin B, Gurhan N, Cosar B. The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills. PBS. 2021; 11(2): 121-129. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Koc M, Seyran F, Genis B, Sirin B, Gurhan N, Cosar B. The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills. PBS. (2021), [cited December 17, 2023]; 11(2): 121-129. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757



Harvard Style

Koc, M., Seyran, . F., Genis, . B., Sirin, . B., Gurhan, . N. & Cosar, . B. (2021) The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills. PBS, 11 (2), 121-129. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757



Turabian Style

Koc, Medine, Fatih Seyran, Bahadir Genis, Burak Sirin, Nermin Gurhan, and Behcet Cosar. 2021. The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 11 (2), 121-129. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757



Chicago Style

Koc, Medine, Fatih Seyran, Bahadir Genis, Burak Sirin, Nermin Gurhan, and Behcet Cosar. "The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills." Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences 11 (2021), 121-129. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Koc, Medine, Fatih Seyran, Bahadir Genis, Burak Sirin, Nermin Gurhan, and Behcet Cosar. "The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills." Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences 11.2 (2021), 121-129. Print. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Koc, M., Seyran, . F., Genis, . B., Sirin, . B., Gurhan, . N. & Cosar, . B. (2021) The Effect of Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 on Somatization Symptoms and Empathy Skills. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 11 (2), 121-129. doi:10.5455/PBS.20210302010757