The Relationship between Differentiation of and Health Anxiety

Abstract

This study aims to examine the extent of the relationship between the level of differentiation and "healthy anxiety" among a group of elderly patients. A quantitative research based on questionnaires that test the relationship between the different alters. The study includes 90 participants (men and women). The main findings of the study clearly indicate that people with a high level of differentiation are characterized by a low level of health anxiety. People with a high level of differentiation tend to have high awareness of the emergence of traumatic situations. The findings distinguish between four elements that characterize health anxiety among the people and they are: concern and preoccupation with the health of the people; Fear of illness or death; Treatment in search of reinforcements from nearby and distant surroundings; Interference in daily life when the physical symptoms of anxiety keep a person from working, concentrating on their actions and enjoying life. These findings indicate differences in health anxiety by gender. Men are characterized by high anxiety more than women are. The findings also suggest that elders have a higher health anxiety level than young people.