Mediatory effect of alexythymia on the relationship between cyberchondria and somatosensory amplification in psoriasis patients

Abstract

Purpose: We hypothesized that the level of cyberchondria may be related to exaggeration of bodily sensations in patients diagnosed with psoriasis and that the level of alexithymia may have a mediating effect on this relationship. Materials and Methods: Our research sample consists of 101 patients diagnosed with Psoriasis and 89 healthy controls. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was applied to patients diagnosed with psoriasis. All participants completed the Sociodemographic Data Form, Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CCS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck AnxietyInventory (BAI) and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS). Results: SCÖ F1, F2 subscale and total scores in the control group; f5 scores were statistically significantly higher in the psoriasis group. SSAS total scores in the psoriasis group were statistically significantly higher than in the control group. A significant, positive and low level correlation was found between PASI and SCS f1, BD and ssas scores in psoriasis patients. There is a significant, positive and significant difference between PASI and BA scores. A moderate correlation was found. The mediating effect of alexithymia in the relationship between cyberchondria and exaggeration of bodily sensations. In the mediation analysis examined, alexithymia was found to be a partial mediator. Both the direct and indirect (mediating effect) effects of cyberchondria on alexithymia are significant. Conclusion: Alexithymia has a mediating effect on the relationship between cyberchondria and exaggeration of bodily sensations in patients with psoriasis. In clinical practice, assessing the level of exaggeration of bodily sensations and alexithymia may be predictive to determine the pathological level of health information seeking behavior in people suffering from chronic diseases such as psoriasis.