Influence of Perceived Attachment Security and Social Support on Somatic Symptoms in Late School-Aged Children Using a School Health Clinic

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine current status of somatic symptoms of late school-aged children using the school health clinic and to investigate the influence of perceived attachment security and social support on their somatic symptoms. Methods: For this descriptive study, self-report questionnaires were completed by fifth and sixth graders attending ‘A’ elementary school in Gyeonggi-do. Data from 216 students were included. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results: Most frequent somatic symptoms were headache, fainting, backache, numbness in a body part, and muscle ache in that order. More frequent somatic symptoms were reported by girls, students who recognized their family SES as low, students who used school health clinic often and students who were dissatisfied with school life. Somatic symptom showed negative correlations with attachment stability and perceived social support from family and teachers. In the regression analysis, the variables; low attachment stability, female gender, and low satisfaction with school affected more frequent somatic symptoms. Conclusion: Careful monitoring of late school-aged children expressing frequent somatic symptoms is required. Intervention programs to improve attachment security and satisfaction with school should be developed for school children, especially girls, presenting with somatic symptoms.

Keywords

• Child
• Psychosomatic medicine
• Parent-child relations
• Social support
• School health services