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.

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