Self-Esteem, Emotional And Behavioral Problems and Psychopathology In Children With Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders

Ayla Uzun Cicek; İlknur Ucuz; Elif Abanoz; Seda Aybüke Sarı; Sanem Nemmezi Karaca; Özge Dombaycı

doi:10.7197/cmj.1122235

EN

Self-Esteem, Emotional And Behavioral Problems and Psychopathology In Children With Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders

Abstract

Objective: There are few studies in the literature on somatic symptoms and related disorders (SSRD) in children. The aim of this study is to investigate emotional and behavioral difficulties, self-esteem, psychopathology, and clinical characteristics in children with somatic symptoms.

Method: This study included 44 children with recurrent and distressing somatic complaint(s) and 49 healthy children. The diagnosis of SSRD was evaluated in detail according to DSM-5 criteria. Self-esteem, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and somatization were assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI-24), respectively.

Results: Children with somatization had significantly greater rates of having at least one comorbid mental disorder, emotional symptoms scores, and peer relationship problems. On the other hand, these children's prosocial behavior scores (Strengths Score), self-esteem scores, and academic performance were significantly lower than the control group. In addition, children with SSRD had more disadvantaged familial characteristics such as low father education, high family history of psychiatric and medical illness and somatization, high marital problems, and domestic violence.

Conclusions: This study revealed that somatization in children is associated with increased emotional, peer, and academic problems and psychopathology rates, and low self-esteem and prosocial behaviors. In clinical practice, it would be advisable to evaluate thoroughly children with SSRD in terms of familial disadvantages, emotional, peer, and academic problems, and psychopathology, rather than focusing solely on somatic symptoms.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

None

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all the children and their families for their collaboration with the study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ayla Uzun Cicek ^*
0000-0003-2274-3457
Türkiye

İlknur Ucuz
0000-0003-1986-4688
Türkiye

Elif Abanoz
0000-0002-9214-4735
Türkiye

Seda Aybüke Sarı
0000-0003-4793-0662
Türkiye

Sanem Nemmezi Karaca
0000-0002-4853-8366
Türkiye

Özge Dombaycı
0000-0003-4250-0217
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 30, 2022

Submission Date

May 27, 2022

Acceptance Date

June 12, 2022

Published in Issue

Year 2022 Volume: 44 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7197/cmj.1122235

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA73GF69YH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

AMA

1.Uzun Cicek A, Ucuz İ, Abanoz E, Sarı SA, Nemmezi Karaca S, Dombaycı Ö. Self-Esteem, Emotional And Behavioral Problems and Psychopathology In Children With Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders. CMJ. 2022;44(2):172-180. doi:10.7197/cmj.1122235