The examination of the relationship between mindfulness level with perceived stress and somatization disorder symptoms

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between mindfulness level with perceived stress and somatization disorder symptoms on university students. In this context, participants' perceived stress levels and somatic symptoms were also investigated with respect their demographics. The majority of the research data were selected from Bahçeşehir University, Beykent University and İstanbul Technical University. Participants of the research were 1st - 4th grades and master students from different faculties selected by convenience sampling method. The data were collected from 393 participants, but the final analysis was performed on 386 participants. 296 were females (%76.7) and 90 males (%23.3) with ages ranging between 18-33, with a mean of 22.98. Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Bkz., Ek 2), Perceived Stress Scale (Bkz., Ek 3), Somatization Subscale of Symptom Checklist (Bkz., Ek 4) were used in this study. As a result of the study, a significant differentiation was found between the students' mindfulness level scores with respect to gender variable. Mindfulness levels of women were significantly higher than men. A significant differentiation was found between somatic symptom level scores with respect to gender variable. Somatic symptom scores of women were significantly higher than men. There were negative weak correlations between mindfulness level and somatic symptom scores. There were negative weak correlations between mindfulness level and perceived stress scores. There were significant positive correlations between the somatic symptom and perceived stress scores. There was a significant difference in the scores of the perceived stress and sub-dimensions according to the income level. The perceived stress rate of those with low income was found to be significantly higher than those with a high level of income. A significant differentiation was found between mindfulness leve scores with respect to education variable. Mindfulness scores of 3th grade students were significantly higher than mindfulness scores of master students.