The hypochondriacal attitudes of 53 aged community residents were studied. No significant correlations were found with situational stress, sex, or ethnicity (English-speaking vs Spanish-speaking). The levels of hypochondriasis appeared to be inversely related to self-evaluation of memory ability. There was no indication of an inherent iatrogenic effect. It was concluded that hypochondriacal behavior is chiefly a function of the underlying personality, which may influence the perception of events as stressful.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Brink et al. (1981) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 3 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: