Psychosomatic disorders were generally thought to be a separate group of disorders led by stress and psychological distress. As research continues, researchers have further understood the psychological, behavioral, as well as environmental aspects that determine psychosomatic disorders. Among them, environmental factors have been an important factor of particular concern in recent years. According to WHO data, more than 12.6 million people die every year due to the unhealthy environments they live or work, and a large proportion of deaths could be attributed to environmental risk factors associated with physical and psychiatric disorders. Physical, and chemical environmental change may affect the risk of psychosomatic disorders, such as individuals that experience environmental change (e.g., migrants) are found to be at risk of gastroduodenal ulcers. Besides, previous studies deal with the ways in whereby social interaction affects persons psychologically and physiologically. The individual’s psychological reactions to events and situations in their social surroundings can trigger physiological changes, which may in turn affect their vulnerability to physical illnesses. These physical, chemical, and cultural factors that constitute a safe and healthy environment may also help the recovery of psychosomatic disorders.
The goal of the present Research Topic is to consolidate associations between environmental risk factors and psychosomatic disorders and propose effective prevention strategies. We encourage authors to share their studies and help gain new insights into this field and address potential challenges about psychosomatic disorders in various population groups, especially in these health-vulnerable populations. We particularly encourage original study with an interdisciplinary approach to solve an essential issue. We also encourage intervention experiments and field investigation from health-vulnerable populations that receive less attention.
This Research Topic is interested in critical reviews and research articles on the role of environmental risk factors in psychosomatic disorders. The role of physical, chemical, and cultural factors affecting people’s health from the perspectives of psychology, public health, medicine, education, and sociology is situated within the scope of this issue. We invite particular—but not exclusively—contributions within the following areas:
- Physical, chemical, and cultural environment and psychosomatic disorders
- The role of psychological factors between environmental factors and psychosomatic disorders
- The combined effect of lifestyle and environmental factors on psychosomatic disorders
- Differences between outdoor and indoor environments in determining psychosomatic disorders.
- Psychosomatic disorders among vulnerable populations in unhealthy live or work environments.
Keywords: environment, psychiatry, psychosomatic disorders, environmental risk factors
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
