BACKGROUND: Post-disaster somatization symptoms are common. But post- disaster somatization symptoms are one of the psychiatric symptoms that are usually ignored. This study evaluates the relationship between somatization disorder and empathy during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
METHOD: The study has a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study sample consisted of 1029 subjects, of whom 658 were healthcare workers and 371 non-healthcare workers. The study used the measurement tools of Somatization Scale, Empathy Quotient Scale, Perception of COVID-19 (sub-dimension; dangerousness, contagiousness), and Avoidance Attitudes from COVID-19 (sub- dimension; behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance).
RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of marital status (p
Key words: COVID-19, Somatic Symptoms, Empathy, Avoidance Behavior, Healthcare Workers
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