Psychosomatic symptoms among schoolchildren.
Psychosomatic symptoms are commonly reported among young people. The potential burden of such symptoms on both young people and health services is substantial. Research from several countries indicates that psychosomatic symptoms tend to co-exist rather than occur singularly and could impose limitations on daily living and participation in school life.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to determine the weekly prevalence of somatic (headache, stomach-ache, dizziness, back ache) and psychological (feeling low, irritability/bad temper, difficulty sleeping, and nervousness) symptoms among schoolchildren in Ireland; and to explore, the influence of family material affluence on reported symptoms.


METHODS
11-17 year-old school going children.


METHODS
Data are presented from the 2006 Irish Health Behaviour in the School-aged Children survey, comprising a nationally representative sample of schoolchildren aged 11-17 years (n = 9969). Sampling units were classes within schools with a response rate of 63% of schools and 83% of students.


RESULTS
Irritability/bad temper (43.0%) and headache (26.0%) were the most commonly reported psychological and somatic symptoms among both boys and girls. Symptom prevalence was higher among girls (range 17.8% - 43.8%) than boys (range 10.7% - 42.3%) and was higher among older children of both genders, except for stomachache in boys. Girls from less affluent backgrounds were significantly more likely to report frequent symptoms (55.5% vs. 50.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple symptoms were inversely related to family material affluence for girls. The factors associated with psychosomatic symptoms and the consequences for schoolchildren require further investigation.
Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, 12 Distillery Road, Galway, Ireland. Colette.kelly@nuigalway.ie
Colette
C
Kelly
Michal
M
Molcho
Priscilla
P
Doyle
Saoirse Nic
SN
Gabhainn
D000293:Adolescent; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology