Open Access Research Article

Comparing the Motivational Structure and Coping Strategies in Patients with Somatoform Disorder and Normal Population

Maryam Aloudari1, Fariborz Bagheri2, Hosein Delavar Kasmai3*, Farhad Assarzadegan4 and Sima Osouli5

1Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Iran

2Assistant Professor of Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Iran

3Department of Neurology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran

4Associated Professor of Department of Neurology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran

5Shahid Beheshti University of medical science, Iran

Corresponding Author

Received Date: April 30, 2019;  Published Date: May 23, 2019

Abstract

Objective: Our study was aimed to compare the motivational structure and coping strategies in patients with the somatoform disorder and normal population.

Materials and methods: Ex-post facto method and random sampling method were used. The sample of this study included 60 persons, who were selected from all individuals referred to Erfan Hospital and a private clinic for somatoform disorder therapy. They were assigned to an experimental group (30 patients with the somatoform disorder; 12 with conversion disorder, 9 with somatization disorder and 9 with pain disorder), and the control group (30 healthy persons). The results were analyzed by MANOVA.

Result: Motivational structure and coping strategies in patients with somatoform disorder are different from those in a normal population.

Conclusion: Patients with the somatoform disorder have maladaptive motivational structure and have more focus on emotional and physical inhibitory coping strategies. As compared to normal population, they put less importance to their goals, are less hopeful in achievement and control of them, the least satisfaction from achievement or sorrow from non-achievement of goal and the least commitment to the goals. they have less freedom in selection of their goals, act very passively in the execution of their plans, and since faced a lot of failures in their life, are somehow suffering from a learned frustration and end up with this belief that effort for the achievement of their goals is in vain. When facing obstacles on their way to their goals, they abandon them and have no continuance in their way to achieve them.

Keywords: Somatoform disorders; Motivation; Coping behavior

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