Article
Predictors of somatic symptoms: a five year follow up of
adolescents
K Poikolainena, T Aalto-Setäläb, M Marttunenb, A Tuulio-Henrikssonb, J Lönnqvistb
a Finnish Foundation
for Alcohol Studies, FIN-00531, Helsinki, Finland, b Department of Mental Health and Alcohol
Research, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300 Helsinki, Finland
Correspondence to: Dr Poikolainen kari.poikolainen{at}stakes.fi
Accepted 4 July 2000
BACKGROUND
Somatisation is common
among adolescents.
AIMSTo study factors predicting
somatisation later in adulthood.
METHODSSelf report questionnaires
were administered at baseline examination in 1990 to students (mean age
16.8 years) in schools, and by mail five years later. Results are based
on the 615 subjects with no serious disease or injury at baseline.
RESULTSRegression analyses showed
that in men the level of somatic symptoms in 1995 was significantly
predicted by the respective level in 1990 and by relief smoking. In
women, the level of somatic symptoms in 1995 was significantly
predicted by the respective level in 1990, self esteem, and the number
of negative life events in 1990. After exclusion of cases with a long
standing disease in 1995, the multivariate results remained materially
similar except that self esteem was no longer significant among women.
CONCLUSIONThese findings may help
in early identification of adolescents with somatisation persisting
into early adulthood.
Keywords: adolescence; life change events; smoking; somatoform disorders
© 2000 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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