Abstract

Recurrent somatic symptoms are frequently complex, multifactorial and difficult to deal with in both clinical and non clinical settings. In recent years there has been an increase in studies investigating the relationship between somatic symptoms and internalizing and externalizing problems in children and adolescents, with significant impairment in functioning. The aim of this study was to examine the association of somatic symptoms with depressive and anxiety symptomatology in school-aged adolescents. The sample consisted of 291 students (Mean age = 12.45; s.d. = 1.06) attending public middle schools in the center of Italy (Lazio). Participants were asked to complete the following questionnaires: the dsm-5 -Somatic Symptom-Child Age 11-17, Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (scared) e Children's Depression Inventory (cdi). These findings add further information to existing literature about the association between somatic symptoms, anxiety and depressive symptomatology in childhood and adolescence. There is, therefore, a need for a more data to better understand this association in order to provide useful information for health promotion and preventive interventions among children and adolescents.