Examining The Structural Pattern of Psychosomatic Symptoms Based on Alexithymia in Patients with Psoriasis: The Mediating Role of Negative Emotional State and Social Support

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the structural pattern of psychosomatic symptoms based on alexithymia in patients with psoriasis with the mediating role of negative emotional state and social support. In this descriptive-correlational study 150 patients with psoriasis referred to health And treatment centers covered by Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences in 2022-2023, were selected by available sampling method, and with informed consent they answered the Psychosomatic Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ-39), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS), and Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS). Data analysis was done With the help of structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis using Smart-PLS software version 3. The results of this study showed that alexithymia had a significant and positive direct effect on negative emotional state and psychosomatic symptoms. Also, the results of calculating specific indirect effects showed that there was a significant and inverse indirect effect between the variables of alexithymia and negative emotional state with the mediating role of perceived social support. These results are useful for understanding the psychopathology of patients with psoriasis in order to develop appropriate diagnostic, prevention and treatment programs in clinical and non-clinical environments, especially for Psychosomatic doctors and clinical psychologists