Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Niloofar Afari, Sandra M Ahumada, Lisa Johnson Wright...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24336429Actively Recruiting
Age: 11Years - 17Years
All Genders
ID05666921
Somatic Symptoms, Alexithymia and Styles of Attachment: a Cross-sectional Study
Led by Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS · Updated on 2025-09-26
300
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how emotional awareness, attachment style, and the ability to think abstractly and symbolize (IQ) may influence the development of somatic symptoms in children and adolescents. These symptoms, such as pain, weakness, and chronic fatigue, often lead patients to seek medical advice but may lack an identifiable organic cause. The study also aims to better understand psychological and family factors tied to chronic somatic symptoms and to measure health costs incurred during the diagnostic process before a formal diagnosis is made. The study involves pediatric patients aged 11 to 17 years who have somatic symptom disorders, along with their caregivers. Participants complete psychological assessments during their first consultation, including questionnaires evaluating emotional awareness, attachment style, and cognitive abilities. Parents also provide information through questionnaires about demographic, medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors. A control group of similar age and language proficiency without somatic symptoms is also included. Participants fill out various questionnaires during their enrollment visit to assess emotional, behavioral, and psychological factors, as well as pain perception and coping strategies. These assessments help researchers measure the primary outcomes related to emotional awareness, attachment, and IQ, along with several secondary outcomes such as stress, behavioral issues, and parental reflective functioning. The study helps identify markers for early diagnosis and guides more comprehensive care for affected youths.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Alexithymia and Attachment Style in Patients With Somatic Symptoms
Who Can Participate
Age: 11Years - 17Years
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Clinical condition with somatic symptoms such as recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, psychogenic cough, or chronic functional pain without an organic cause
- Symptoms present for at least six months and significantly affecting quality of life
- Age between 11 and 17 years
- Italian speaking
- Consent given by patients and parents
You will not qualify if you...
- Cognitive or developmental impairment
- Difficulty understanding Italian
- Diagnosis of an organic disease
- Lack of informed consent
- Patient does not meet DSM-5 criteria for somatic symptom disorder
- Caregiver with cognitive deficits or language difficulties
- Caregiver lacks informed consent
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Diagnostic Evaluation
Duration - Single session at enrollment
Participants undergo a psychological assessment involving specific tests to evaluate emotional awareness, attachment style, and cognitive abilities. A parent or caregiver also completes questionnaires to collect personal and clinical data.
1 baseline visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Meyer Children's Hospital
Florence, Firenze, Italy, 50139
Actively Recruiting
2
IRCCS Gianna Gaslini
Genova, Italy
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
R
Rosanna Martin, MSc
G
Giulia Ricci, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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Physical symptoms and psychosocial correlates of somatization in pediatric primary care.
Jennifer M Andresen, Robert L Woolfolk, Lesley A Allen...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21576182The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale--I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure.
R M Bagby, J D Parker, G J Taylor
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8126686Psychological Interventions for Children with Functional Somatic Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Irma J Bonvanie, Karen H Kallesøe, Karin A M Janssens...
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28178333The significance of life events as etiologic factors in the diseases of children. II. A study of a normal population.
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Peter Fonagy, Patrick Luyten, Alesia Moulton-Perkins...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27392018