title: Predictors of somatic symptoms in younger rural adolescents.
abstract: This study investigated the presence and strength of the relationship between daily hassles, coping style, negative mood regulations, and somatic symptomatology in junior high rural adolescents. Five paper-and-pencil instruments assessing perceived daily hassles, coping strategies, ability to successfully alleviate a negative mood state, degree of somatic symptomatology, and general demographic information were completed by 138 7th and 8th grade students from a number of rural areas in a mid-western state. Results indicated that hassles were a significant predictor of symptomatology in addition to the coping styles of substance use and professional support. The interpersonal coping factor proved to have the only negative, or ameliorating, relationship to symptomatology. Gender and developmental differences were evident.
authors.affiliation: RE-1Valley School District, Sterling, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Lois M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Ellis P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Copeland
authors.forename: Erika B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Stapert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires