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February 18, 2005
Co-occurrence of Somatic Symptoms in U.S. Girls High
and is Linked to Socioeconomic and Behavioral Background
Results of a recent study have shown that somatic symptoms such as headache, stomachache,
backache, and morning fatigue among adolescent girls in the United States is prevalent.
One’s socioeconomic and behavioral background as well as environmental factors
contribute greatly to risk of somatic symptoms occurring and co-occurring. |
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The goal of the study was to examine the overall health of U.S. females by checking the
prevalence, frequency, and co-occurrence of headache, stomachache, backache, and morning
fatigue. Data was then examined to probe for links between various risk and protective
factors. Scientists planned to assess the health of adolescent American females according
to the prevalence, frequency, and co-occurrence of headache, stomachache, backache, and
morning fatigue and to determine what risk and protective factors increased or decreased
the likelihood of symptoms.
Methods
Scientists colleted data on children in grades six thorough 10 via a nationally
representative survey between 1997 and 1998. The surveys were completed in school.
Investigators also measured parent support, teacher support, and student support. The
frequency of bullying was also measured as a risk factor for somatic symptoms. Health
behavior was classified by the amount of alcohol consumption in the past 30 days.
Socioeconomic measures were grade, race/ethnicity, and mother's educational achievement.
Results
Results of the study indicated that headaches occurred in 29.1% of adolescent girls, 20.7%
experienced stomach aches, 23.6% reported back pain, and 30.6% experienced morning fatigue
more than once a week. Co-occurring somatic (body) pain is prevalent among U.S. adolescent
females. Of the females who reported headaches once a week or more, 3.2million (53.3%)
also experienced stomach pain more than once a week. 4.1 million (74.3%) experienced
morning fatigue syndrome more than once a week.
Girls who reported bullying at least once a week had a greater chance of experiencing
headaches, backaches, and morning fatigue than those who had not been bullied. Students
who were bullied had a lower risk for using alcohol and cigarettes but had greater
difficulty in their peer relationships. They also had a lower chance of developing somatic
symptoms. However, those who bullied had a greater chance of experiencing somatic symptoms
and were more likely to use alcohol and cigarettes. They are more likely to spend a lot of
time with friends.
Students who experienced low levels of parental guidance were 1.4 times more likely to
report headaches and 1.5 times more likely to report stomachaches once a week or more.
Pupils who reported little teacher support were 1.8 times more likely to experience
stomach and back pain compared with students with high teacher support.
Frequent use of weight loss programs and poor family relations were also linked to the
occurrence of somatic symptoms.
Conclusion
Researchers concluded that lifestyles played a major role in the occurrence and
co-occurrence of somatic symptoms. Heavy alcohol use, high caffeine intake, and daily
cigarette smoking were highly linked to the frequency and causes of somatic problems. Good
relationships with teachers and parents served as protective factor for the young females.
Investigators stated that more studies should be done with larger sample sizes in order to
make recommendations for treatment.
One of the limitations of the study was that special education, truant, chronically ill
students as well as students with language and learning disabilities were less likely to
be surveyed and or were likely to be absent the day the survey was administered.
Complete findings of the study appear in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent
Medicine. 2004;158:797-803
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