Explanatory models of somatization disorders across cultures

Abstract The manifestation of psychological stress or emotional distress as physical symptoms is referred to as somatization and is influenced by cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices. The cultural context is thus crucial in understanding somatization. Culture influences how patients present their symptoms to the healthcare system, with patients being more likely to report symptoms that are culturally acceptable. This chapter focuses on the role of sociocultural context and explanatory models in somatization, providing an overview of different cultural models, including folk illness beliefs, traditional medicine, and the Western biomedical model. The chapter also delves into cultural factors that affect the expression of somatic complaints and emphasizes the need for culturally informed and responsive healthcare practices.