Abstract

Somatization is more frequent in women than in men, and Korean women are known to be more prone to somatization. Although covert narcissism has been reported as a variable related to somatization, there is a dearth of research on the psychological processes between covert narcissism and somatization. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of suppression of emotional expression relationship between covert narcissism and somatization in adult women, and the moderated mediating effect of body attribution in this path. For this purpose, 240 people aged 20 to 59 were measured through self-report surveys for covert narcissism, suppression of emotional expression, body attribution, and somatization. First, a significant correlation was found in all major variables. Second, the mediating effect of suppression of emotional expression was significant in the relationship between covert narcissism and somatization. Third, body attribution moderated the relationship between suppression of emotional expression and somatization. Fourth, it was found that the mediating effect of suppression of emotional expression on the relationship between covert narcissism and somatization was moderated by body attribution. In other words, those with high body attribution are more likely to experience somatization through suppression of emotional expression, even if they experience covert narcissism. This study is meaningful in that it presents implications that are helpful for understanding and intervention of adult Female clients with a high level of covert narcissism in psychotherapy.