Aim and Background: Somatic symptoms and physical complaints (palpitations, dizziness, etc.) make a significant part of admittances to health centers. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms and their etiology is of very high importance. Clinical observations over the past two centuries have linked these symptoms with emotions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiology of somatic symptoms based on negative emotional schemas by mediating alexithymia and emotional expressiveness. Methods and Materials:The method used in this research was correlation. The research sample consisted of 440 female undergraduate and postgraduate students at Khomeini Shahr Azad University who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The members completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Emotional Expressiveness Questionnaire (EEQ), Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) and Leahy Emotional Schemas Scale (LESS). The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS and LISREL softwers. Findings: Based on the results, the hypothesized model has an appropriate fit with the data. The path of negative emotional schemas, emotional expressiveness (total effect: -0.269.P<0.001) and the path of emotional expressiveness, somatic symptoms (total effect: -0.346.P<0.001) is negative and significant. Also, the path of negative emotional schemas, alexithymia (total effect: 0.358.P<0.001) and the path of alexithymia, somatic symptoms (total effect: 0.356.P<0.001) is positive and significant. The path of negative emotional schemas, somatic symptoms (direct effect: 0.266. P<0.001) is positive and significant. According to the results of structural equations, negative emotional schemas had a significant effect on somatic symptoms through alexithymia and emotional expressiveness. (Indirect effect: 0.221. P<0.001). Conclusions: Research shows that emotional schemas, in addition to the direct effect on somatic symptoms, can also be influenced by alexithymia and emotional expressiveness. Therefore, the results of this study can be used in preventing, understanding the underlying causes and mechanisms for pathology, and treatment of somatic symptoms.

No abstract

Background: Based on emotional regulation models of eating pathology, disordered eating behaviors are maladaptive efforts to avoid or escape from aversive internal experiences. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between experiential avoidance and mindfulness with eating disorders symptomology among undergraduate female students. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-correlative research, 350 eligible female students selected by convenient sampling method in 2016. Questionnaires of Eating Disorders Diagnostic Scale (EDDS), The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were used. Data analysis was done by Pearson correlational analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results: There found a positive significant relationship between eating disorder symptoms and experiential avoidance (P<0.01); and a negative significant relationship between eating disorder symptoms and mindfulness (P<0.01). The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that both constructs of experiential avoidance and mindfulness were significant predictors of eating disorders symptomology. Conclusion:According to the results, it can be concluded that avoidance of internal experiences and low mindfulness may play a role in disordered eating. Therefore, development of regulation strategies for applying in exposure with unpleasant experiences may be useful in prevention and treatment of eating disorder.

No abstract