Relationships Between Neuroticism and Health Anxiety with Psychosomatic Disorders in the Elderly: Examining the Mediating Role of Rumination

Introduction: The present study aimed to model the structural relationships between neuroticism and health anxiety with psychosomatic symptoms in the elderly with psychosomatic disorders, considering the mediating role of rumination. Methods: This descriptive-correlational research was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included elderly individuals visiting medical clinics in Khoy City, Iran. Due to the unavailability of accurate statistics on the elderly population, a convenience sampling method was employed. The sample consisted of 200 elderly individuals who had visited two clinics— Social Security Clinic and the Farhangian Clinic —due to somatic complaints. Data were collected using the Psychosomatic Symptoms Questionnaire, the Health Anxiety Inventory, the Rumination Scale, and the Neuroticism Scale. To investigate the direct and indirect effects among the research variables, Smart PLS software was used for analysis through SEM. Results: Neuroticism (β = 0.31, t = 6.31) and health anxiety (β = 0.29, t = 5.91) directly predicted psychosomatic disorders in the elderly. Both also significantly predicted rumination (neuroticism β = 0.31, t = 8.70; health anxiety β = 0.59, t = 15.98), which in turn affected psychosomatic disorders (β = 0.37, t = 7.33). Rumination mediated the effects of neuroticism (indirect β = 0.11, t = 5.57) and health anxiety (indirect β = 0.22, t = 6.77). The model showed good fit (SRMR = 0.065, NFI = 0.910). Conclusion: addressing the psychological aspects of elderly individuals, particularly neuroticism and health anxiety, can significantly improve their physical and mental well-being. Psychological interventions aimed at reducing rumination and enhancing health-related attitudes can effectively prevent and treat psychosomatic disorders. These findings underscore the importance of designing comprehensive intervention programs for the elderly, considering both their psychological and physical dimensions.