Social Class and Race as Mediator Variables in Neurotic Symptomatology

Abstract

An investigation was carried out on 1,071 anxious neurotic outpatients to examine the potential mediating effects of social class and race on distress levels of neurotic symptomatology. Five symptom dimensions, derived through factor analysis, were employed as criteria measures. Results indicated statistically significant effects for social class on both somatization and depression dimensions, with lower-status patients manifesting substantially higher distress levels than patients in the upper classes. This relationship was approximately equivalent for both Negro and white patients. On a dimension of irascibility there was a significant main effect for race, with white patients showing significantly higher levels than Negro patients. In general, as status levels dropped, symptom levels tended to rise.