Migration-related risk of psychosomatic disorders in socially healthy young adults who experience significant emotional and mental loads

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of scientific literature investigating the potential correlation between the geographical distance between an individual's initial and final place of residence and the risk of psychosomatic disorders in those experiencing significant emotional and mental loads. AIM: To develop an integrative index for the assessment of the risk of psychosomatic disorders in young adults who are changing their place of residence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included medical students at the Volgograd State Medical University (97 males and 99 females between the ages of 18 and 22 years). The proportion of non-residents was 44% (45 respondents) of males and 60% (61 respondents) of females. The cross-sectional study was performed during the spring examinations in June 2023, i.e., at 9 months after the start of the academic year and change of residence by non-resident students. The symptoms of psychosomatic disorders were identified using the Gurvich Psychological Adaptation Test. The Giessen Subjective Complaints List and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to report somatic symptoms and anxiety/depression, respectively. The severity of suicidal ideation was assessed using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The geographical distance (km) between an individual's initial and final place of residence distances was calculated. RESULTS: A direct, statistically significant correlation has been identified between the severity of psychosomatic disorders and the distance travelled by young adults migrating from their place of previous residence to their final destination. The potential for migration-related risk of medical conditions is classified into four categories based on geographical distance intervals: up to 20 km, up to 400 km, up to 800 km, and over 800 km. The critical values of the migration-related risk of psychosomatic disorders have been calculated for males and females. The most significant risk factor for the onset of psychosomatic disorders in young adults is the geographical distance between their current place of residence and their previous place of residence, with a range of 400 to 800 km. CONCLUSION: The correlation between the geographical distance between an individual's initial and final place of residence and the risk of psychosomatic disorders in those in those experiencing significant emotional and mental loads has been described.