In view of the forthcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-V), somatic causal illness attributions are being considered as potential positive criteria for somatoform disorders (SFDs). The aim of this study is to investigate whether patients diagnosed with SFDs tend towards a predominantly somatic attribution style in order to assess the possible use of this dimension as a positive criterion in the definition of somatoform disorders. Combining both qualitative and quantitative research measures, the study found SFD patients to be no more likely than their non somatoform counterparts to focus on somatic explanations for their symptoms. They were just as likely to advance psychosocial or mixed causes. The results do not support the use of somatic causal illness attributions as positive criteria for SFDs. They confirm the multidimensional and dynamic nature of causal illness attributions. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.    «

In view of the forthcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-V), somatic causal illness attributions are being considered as potential positive criteria for somatoform disorders (SFDs). The aim of this study is to investigate whether patients diagnosed with SFDs tend towards a predominantly somatic attribution style in order to assess the possible use of this dimension as a positive criterion in the definition of somatoform disorders. Combining both qualitative and quan...    »