Parental psychopathology and somatic presentation in children: a comparative study
Parental psychopathology and somatic presentation in children: a comparative study

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Many of the psychological problems present with pure somatic symptoms, especially among children and adolescents. The long term impact of somatisation is poor and results in compromised outcome in various areas. Children of parents having psychopathology are more prone to develop psychological problems. Thus, the present study was done to assess the relation between parental psychopathology and somatic presentation in children. Aim and objective: To assess the parental psychopathology and its relationship with somatic presentation in children. Research design and methods: It was a cross-sectional, case-control study design. The children of age between 9-14years who presented with psychological and emotional problems attending Paediatrics OPD from July 2013 to December 2013 were referred to Department of Psychiatry in Pt. B.D. Sharma, PGIMS, Rohtak, a tertiary care centre in northern India. Thirty children who presented with somatic symptoms constituted group-I and thirty children who presented with other psychological non somatic symptoms constituted the group-II. Their socio-demographic profile was taken on a specially designed proforma. Psychopathology among parents of both the groups was assessed by General Health Questionnaire-12 item version. The collected data was analysed statistically. Results: It was found that depression and anxiety disorders were more common in parents of both groups. Parents of children with somatization had more psychopathology, but the difference was not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: Children presenting with somatic complaints should be properly evaluated for psychological stress due to presence of psychopathology among parents.

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