Do Migration and Acculturation Impact Somatization? A Scoping Review

Antonello Barbati (), Alessandro Geraci, Fabiana Niro, Letizia Pezzi and Marco Sarchiapone
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Antonello Barbati: Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Alessandro Geraci: Ospedale Ca Foncello, 31100 Treviso, Italy
Fabiana Niro: Department of Pathology, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
Letizia Pezzi: Rehabilitation Unit, ASST Cremona-Ospedale di Cremona, 26100 Cremona, Italy
Marco Sarchiapone: Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: Somatization is a phenomenon in which the individual experiences physical symptoms attributable to mental projections. It is a widely used term in common parlance to figuratively describe a stressful situation. Syndromes directly related to the mind have been described; pathologies are influenced by somatization. However, the extent of somatization is also related to social and cultural factors. In fact, each culture expresses varying levels of somatization characteristic of the country of origin. A disease can even manifest with different symptoms in different ethnic groups. The migration process arises from the need for change on the part of those who undertake it and culminates in the integration of the person in the host country. This process induces changes in the person of a psychological nature, which also affects somatization. In fact, the most integrated subjects show levels of somatization comparable to those of the host country. These considerations support the thesis that psychological changes are an integral part of health and can affect the development of organic and somatized pathologies.

Keywords: somatization; migration; acculturation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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