Interactive effect of chronic stress disorders and mental disorders on reporting somatoform disorders among workers

A lot of research has been done on the post-traumatic stress, but few studies have investigated the effect of chronic stress disorders on physical and psychological health. This study investigated the combined interactive effects of chronic stress disorders and mental disorders on somatoform disorders reporting among employees at Isfahan Steel Company. In this correlational study, 189 employees in Isfahan Steel Company wwere selected according to the stratified random sampling method and completed demographic characteristics, chronic stress disorders of Cohen, Karmark, and Mermelstein, and mental disorders and somatoform disorders of Barling, Loughlin, and Kelloway questionnaires in 2011. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression. Results showed significant internal correlations among chronic stress disorders, mental disorders, and somatoform disorders (p<0.01). In addition, by controlling for demographic variables, the results of hierarchical regression analysis showed the interactive effect of chronic stress disorders and mental disorders on reporting somatoform disorders to be significant (p<0.05). This study showed that chronic stress disorders have a positive relationship with reporting somatoform disorders both in experiencing and not experiencing psychological disorders; however, this relationship was stronger when employees in addition to chronic stress disorders experienced psychological disorders.