The aim of this study was to identify association between pneumo- or hemo-thorax and psychological distress using the Military Personality Inventory (MPI).

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 19-yr-old examinees who were admitted to the Military Manpower Administration in Korea from February 2009 to January 2010. A total number of 1955 young men were enrolled in this study. The normal volunteer group (n=1561) comprise individuals who did not have pneumo- or hemo-thorax. The pneumo- or hemo-thorax group (n=394) included individuals with pneumo- or hemo-thorax. This group was divided into two subgroups, group A (treated with conservative care or chest tube insertion, n=341) and group B (treated with wedge resection, n=53).

We compared each of three groups (Control group, Group A, Group B) using the analysis of covariant (ANCOVA). The somatization subscale score of the neurosis category was significantly higher for group A (P<0.001) and showed higher tendency for Group B than the control group (P=0.073). The other categories (validity scale; anxiety, depression, and personality disorder subscales for neurosis scale; and psychopath scale) showed no significant difference in the MPI among Group A, Group B and Control group.

Conservative care or chest tube insertion group had higher somatization symptoms than control group. Wedge resection group had higher somatization tendency than control group. Individuals with pneumo- or hemo-thorax history may be concerned about their body shape or their general condition. Therefore, supportive intervention and psychiatric education may be needed for them to relieve somatic distress.