Somatic complaints and childhood anxiety disorders
Titel:
Somatic complaints and childhood anxiety disorders
Auteur:
Hofflich , Stacey A. Hughes , Alicia A. Kendall , Philip C.
Verschenen in:
International journal of clinical and health psychology
Paginering:
Jaargang 6 (2006) nr. 2 pagina's 229--242
Jaar:
2006
Inhoud:
Somatic complaints in children have been associated with internalizing disorders, especially anxiety disorders. However, few studies have examined specific somatic complaints across specific anxiety disorders. This quasi-experimental study examines the type and frequency of somatic complaints in children (n = 178; ages 7 ¿14 years) with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia (SP), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), and no anxiety disorder. Children and their parents who sought treatment completed a structured diagnostic interview and youth completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) (March, Parker, Sullivan, Stallings, and Conners). Children diagnosed with an anxiety disorder reported more frequent somatic complaints compared to children without an anxiety disorder, but somatic complaints did not differ across the principal anxiety disorder groups. Children with comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders reported somatic complaints more frequently than children without comorbid disorders. Results are discussed in terms of somatic complaints as a) criteria within the diagnostic system, and b) as part of the process of avoidance.
Uitgever:
Asociación Española de Psicología Conductual (AEPC) (provided by DOAJ)