Determinants of psychosomatic complaints in Swedish schoolchildren aged seven to twelve years.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate determinants of psychosomatic complaints (PSC) in children. The model assumes that variables are working on three levels: the proximal level (the child), the intermediate level (the family), and the distal level (the society).


METHODS
Data were obtained from a large cross-sectional survey on children's health and well-being in the Nordic countries. A questionnaire was sent to the parents of a representative sample of 1,163 Swedish children aged seven to 12 years. The analysis included a multivariate analysis using the LISREL program.


RESULTS
The best predictors of PSC were the mother's health, the child's mental stability, contacts with peers, and long-term illness/disability. There were many other important relationships, which act via factors, such as school satisfaction, social competence, activities, the parents' sense of coherence, and family economy.


CONCLUSIONS
PSC in children should be seen in the context of all three levels.
The Nordic School of Public Health, Göteborg, Sweden. leeni@nhv.se
L T
LT
Berntsson
J E
JE
Gustafsson
D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology