• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2008

Background : It was not uncommon authors as psychiatrists faced women patients with somatoform disorders who expresses their symptoms has been started after the poor adherence to 'Doing the month' practices (DMP). DMP is known as a traditional ritual for Korean postpartum women. Aims : This study is an cultural approach to explore the practices of Korean women during the postpartum period are related with the formation of somatoform disorders. Methods : 41 multipara women with somatoform disorders diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria and 91 healthy normal control were enrolled. Subjects were given scales of SOM scale of SCL-90R, Somatic Symptom Scale-Korean version, Korean 'Doing the month' practices Scale(40 items), Postpartum Sick Scale(14 items), Beck Depression Scale and State Anxiety Scale. Results : 1) The period of DMP less than one week were prevalent in the patients group(43.9%) compared to the control group(7.9%, p<0.01). 2) The period of DMP after the abortions showed no difference between two groups. 3) Subjective rate for their poor DMP was significantly high in the patients group(73.2%) compared to the control group(33.0%), and the patients group showed high score in Postpartum Sick Scale as well(4.1, 1.6 respectively). 4) Poor DM was negatively correlated with SOM scale of SCL-90R(correlation coefficient r=-0.47, p<0.01). Conclusion : Poor DMP may make a crucial role for their heath condition after the deliveries and which would be one of the major factors of the somatoform disorders in Korean women. And postpartum physical symptoms after the poor DMP could be last long enough to be diagnosed as somatoform disorders. By understanding the cultural nature of the somatization phenomena the doctor-patient relationship could be enhanced.