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BioPsychoSocial Medicine
Published in: BioPsychoSocial Medicine 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research

Psychosomatic complaints and sense of coherence among adolescents in a county in Sweden: a cross-sectional school survey

Authors: Bo Simonsson, Kent W Nilsson, Jerzy Leppert, Vinod K Diwan

Published in: BioPsychoSocial Medicine | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Background

Over the last five to ten years there has been an increase in psychosomatic complaints (PSC) in Swedish children. The objective of the study was to examine the relation between PSC and sense of coherence (SOC).

Methods

A cross-sectional school survey in the county of Västmanland, Sweden. All 16- and 19-year old adolescents present at school on the day of the survey were asked to complete a questionnaire in their classrooms during a one-lesson hour session under the supervision of their teachers. Totally 3,998 students in both private and public schools, studying in ninth grade elementary school or third grade secondary school participated.

Results

The results from our study show that there is a statistically significant relation between PSC and SOC among adolescents. It also shows that adolescents with a weak SOC score have more symptoms of PSC.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that SOC can help the adolescents to choose a coping strategy that is appropriate for the situation and thereby may prevent them from developing PSC. However, additional studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Metadata
Title
Psychosomatic complaints and sense of coherence among adolescents in a county in Sweden: a cross-sectional school survey
Authors
Bo Simonsson
Kent W Nilsson
Jerzy Leppert
Vinod K Diwan
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BioPsychoSocial Medicine / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1751-0759
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0759-2-4

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