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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on December 3, 2007
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsm113
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

A Developmental Perspective on Functional Somatic Symptoms

Joy E. Beck, PhD

Vanderbilt University

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Joy E. Beck, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine and Behavioral Science, 2200 Children's Way, 11135L Doctors’ Office Tower, Nashville, TN 37232-9060, USA. E-mail: joy.beck{at}vanderbilt.edu


  Abstract

Objective To provide a new approach for conceptualizing and studying functional somatic symptoms (FSS) in children and adolescence. Methods A developmental model is proposed based on the synthesis of the extant literature and previous theoretical perspectives of FSS in children and adolescents. Results Multiple risk and protective factors from child, familial, social, and environmental domains, the interactions across risk domains, and potential developmental pathways of FSS are identified. Conclusions This article underscores the necessity of taking a broader, developmental view of FSS. The tenets of developmental psychopathology emphasize the utility of viewing FSS on a continuum of severity rather than as a discrete entity or diagnosis. This article concludes with directions for future research and treatment implications.

Key words: adolescents; children; developmental psychopathology; functional-somatic-symptoms; risk-factors; somatic-complaints, pain.

Received March 6, 2007; revision received October 2, 2007; accepted October 29, 2007


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