Dimensions of negative affectivity, self-reported somatic symptoms, and health-related behaviors

Abstract

This study focused on the relationship between personality dispositions, self-reported somatic symptoms, and health-related behaviors in undergraduate students. Findings are presented which indicate systematic correlations between health complaints and negative affectivity (NA), a common and pervasive mood disposition. Generally, there was a stronger relationship between NA and self-reported somatic symptoms than between NA and variables reflecting health-related behaviors, lifestyle, and general fitness. Significant correlations between health complaints and capacity for imaginative involvement (absorption), as well as self-reported measures of emotional inhibition, were also demonstrated. However, it is uncertain whether absorption and emotional inhibition properly belong to the NA construct. The results also indicated differences with respect to the strength of the associations between various dimensions of NA and particular types or classes of health complaints. For example, cognitive anxiety (e.g. worry, ruminations, disturbing thoughts) was more strongly related to somatic complaints than behavioral (social avoidance) components of anxiety. Moreover, diffuse and widespread symptoms (e.g. weakness and fatigue) were more strongly associated with NA than more specific and localized symptoms, particularly musculo-skeletal complaints, although complaints belonging to the musculoskeletal category obtained the highest group mean score. The results strongly suggest that a differentiated approach to the study of NA-symptom connections should be adopted.