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Call for papers - Psychosomatic disorders

Guest Editors

Johanna Graf, PhD, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
Paweł Larionow, PhD, Kazimierz Wielki University, Poland
Andreas Stengel, MD, PhD, Klinikum Stuttgart and University Hospital Tübingen, Germany

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 6 February 2025

BMC Psychology seeks innovative research on psychosomatic disorders, exploring the complex interplay between psychological factors and physical symptoms. We invite submissions that investigate the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of psychosomatic disorders, with a focus on advancing patient care and enhancing our understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying somatic symptoms.

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Johanna Graf, PhD, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany

Dr Johanna Graf is is a psychological psychotherapist and psych-oncologist at University Hospital Tübingen. She is a clinical psychologist with further training as a psychological psychotherapist with a focus on behavioral therapy and psycho-oncology. Dr Graf is interested in research in the field of psycho-oncology and psychosomatic medicine. She has been involved in research projects for many years with a focus on improving the treatment of patients with mental health problems, especially eHealth interventions.

Paweł Larionow, PhD, Kazimierz Wielki University, Poland

Dr Paweł Larionow, a biologist and a psychologist, is a Researcher in the Department of Psychology at the Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz. They are a researcher in the field of health psychology, psychological assessment, and psychometrics. Dr Larionow is the author of nearly 50 papers and has served as a reviewer for about 40 high-quality psychological journals.

Dr Larionow's primary research interests are in the role of positive and negative emotions in the development, understanding, assessment, and prevention of a wide range of psychopathologies as well as in maintenance of wellbeing.

Andreas Stengel, MD, PhD, Klinikum Stuttgart and University Hospital Tübingen

Dr Andreas Stengel, board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, is the Medical Director of the Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the Klinikum Stuttgart in Germany. He also serves as a researcher at the University Hospital Tübingen. His research focuses on  physical-mental interplay and he is thriving to better understand psychosomatic diseases and to improve treatment for those affected.

About the Collection

BMC Psychology welcomes submissions to our Collection on Psychosomatic disorders.

Psychosomatic disorders, characterized by the interaction between psychological factors and physical (somatic) symptoms, present a complex and challenging area of study within the field of psychology. These disorders encompass a wide range of physical manifestations influenced by emotional and psychological states, often leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Understanding the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of psychosomatic disorders is crucial for improving patient care and advancing psychological science.

Recent advances have highlighted the role of behavioral therapies, mindfulness-based interventions, and the impact of childhood neglect and trauma on the development of somatic symptoms. Additionally, research has emphasized the need to address gender differences in the presentation and experience of psychosomatic disorders, as well as the influence of lifestyle factors and psychological conditions on symptom manifestation.

Future research in this area holds the potential for identifying novel treatment approaches tailored to specific symptom clusters and patient populations. Advancements in the diagnosis of psychosomatic disorders, including the integration of digital health technologies and the exploration of personalized medicine approaches, may lead to more accurate and timely interventions. Furthermore, ongoing research efforts may shed light on the interplay between psychological, social, and biological factors in the development and maintenance of psychosomatic symptoms.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Etiology and assessment of psychosomatic disorders
  • Gender differences in psychosomatic disorders
  • Impact of childhood neglect and trauma on somatic symptoms
  • New approaches for the theory and practice of psychosomatic disorders and their application
  • Influence of lifestyle factors on the manifestation of psychosomatic symptoms
  • Role of digital health technologies in diagnosing psychosomatic disorders
  • Psychological mechanisms triggering psychosomatic disorders
  • Dynamics of potential changing psychological characteristics in people with psychosomatic disorders at different stages of disease development
  • Personalized medicine approaches for psychosomatic disorders
  • Behavioral therapy for psychosomatic disorders
  • Mindfulness-based therapy interventions for psychosomatic disorders


This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.
 

Image credit: © bymuratdeniz / Getty Images / iStock

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Psychosomatic disorders" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.