Examining the relationship between attachment, somatization, and expressing emotions

Abstract

Aim: The baby's special relationship with his caregiver affects his future psychological and physical health. The disruption of the mother-baby bonding can lead to mental difficulties and even psychopathologies in that period and afterward. This study aimed to reveal the relationships between attachment, expressing emotion, and somatization. Materials and Methods: A total of 175 volunteer university students, 142 females, 33 males, were included in the study. In the study, data were collected via self-report forms, namely, sociodemographic form, the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Somatization Scale, and the Emotional Expression Questionnaire. Results: A low level of negative correlation was found between expressing emotions and attachment to the mother. A weak but statistically significant negative relationship was found between somatization and attachment to mother and father. A weakly significant negative correlation was found between somatization and Overprotection-Father scores. While the somatization scores of the participants increased, the perceived protective, controlling, nonsupporting attitudes of the father also increased significantly. Conclusion: Further research needs to be focused on the theoretical and clinical implications of these results. The precise nature of these possible relationships is yet to be interpreted.