PERSONALITY-FACTORS AND SOMATIC SYMPTOMS

This study investigates the association between self-reported somatic complaints (GSCL, Giessen Symptom Check List), medically evaluated glo bal health and coping style (MBHI, Millon Behavior Health Inventory), current emotions (TESI, Tension Effort Stress Inventory), subjective w ell-being, and mental absorption (ABS, Tellegen Absorption Scale). The MBHI basic coping scales denoted introversive, sociable, confident, a nd respectful were negatively correlated with the GSCL, while the inhi bited and the sensitive scales were positively correlated with the GSC L. The forceful and the cooperative scales were uncorrelated with symp toms. All the psychogenic attitude scales were firmly positively assoc iated with reported somatic complaints. Mental absorption was weakly p ositively associated with the GSCL. Current emotions were firmly posit ively and negatively related to symptom report. Medically assessed hea lth status was almost uncorrelated with the MBHI scales, current mood, well-being, and absorption. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.