ATTRIBUTION IN SOMATIZERS - STABILITY AND RELATIONSHIP TO OUTCOME AT 1-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

The aim of this study was to determine whether attributional style is a stable pattern in somatizers, to analyse the sociodemographic and ps ychopathological characteristics that can modify it, and to study the relationship between attributional pattern and outcome. A total of 147 somatizers and 46 psychologizers from a representative sample (n=1559 ) of primary care patients in Zaragoza, Spain were followed up for 1 y ear. Attribution of somatic symptoms was a stable construct in somatiz ers. Patients who modified attribution were younger (by 15 years on av erage), tended to be without a partner, and had a shorter illness dura tion (by 20 months on average) than those who maintained it. Attributi on showed no correlation with outcome at the 1-year follow-up.