Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

This study examines the impact of perceived stress and relationship satisfaction on somatic symptoms in married women, comparing those diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder to those without any diagnosis. The sample consisted of 120 married women aged 25-40yrs with 60 women in each group. Standardized questionnaires assessed perceived stress scale (PSS), relationship satisfaction scale (RSS), and somatic symptoms scale (SSS-8). Pearson correlation analysis was employed to explore the relationships among these variables. The results indicated a significant correlation between perceived stress and somatic symptoms in both groups, with higher stress levels linked to more somatic complaints. Additionally, relationship satisfaction was negatively correlated with somatic symptoms, suggesting that greater marital satisfaction is associated with fewer somatic issues. The diagnosed group showed stronger correlations between these variables compared to the non-diagnosed group. These findings underscore the importance of psychological factors and marital dynamics in the development and severity of somatic symptoms in married women. The study recommends interventions focused on reducing stress and enhancing relationship satisfaction to help manage somatic symptoms. Future research should investigate these relationships over time and across diverse demographic groups to broaden the applicability of the findings.