The Development of Somatic Symptom Disorder in Children: Psychological Characteristics and Psychiatric Comorbidity.

Background: Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is one of the most common pediatric psychiatric disorders in adolescents, and several biological, psychological, and social factors have been considered to contribute to its development.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to elucidate the link between psychological functioning (depression and anxiety), psychological characteristics (perfectionism and alexithymia), negative life events, and parental accommodation in children diagnosed with SSD.

Methods: Fifty patients (age range 7-18 years) were diagnosed with SSD in an outpatient clinic and completed multiple self-report questionnaires on SSD symptoms, negative life events, and psychological factors.