The association between parenting behavior and somatization in adolescents explained by physiological responses in adolescents

Sofie Rousseau; Hans Grietens; Johan Vanderfaeillie; Karel Hoppenbrouwers; Jan R Wiersema; Imke Baetens; Pieter Vos; Karla Van Leeuwen

doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2014.05.008

The association between parenting behavior and somatization in adolescents explained by physiological responses in adolescents

Int J Psychophysiol. 2014 Aug;93(2):261-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2014.05.008. Epub 2014 May 23.

Authors

Sofie Rousseau¹, Hans Grietens², Johan Vanderfaeillie³, Karel Hoppenbrouwers⁴, Jan R Wiersema⁵, Imke Baetens⁶, Pieter Vos⁷, Karla Van Leeuwen⁸

Affiliations

¹ Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, University of Leuven, L. Vanderkelenstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Centre for Special Needs Education & Youth Care, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 38, 9712 TJ Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Clinical & Life Span Psychology, University of Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Centre of Youth Health Care, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 blok d, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Clinical Psychology Research Unit, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, University of Leuven, L. Vanderkelenstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, University of Leuven, L. Vanderkelenstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 24862009
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2014.05.008

Abstract

Introduction: This study adds to the knowledge on somatization in adolescents by exploring its relation with parenting behavior and the mediating/moderating role of physiological responses in adolescents to parenting behavior.

Method: Eighteen adolescents with high and 18 adolescents with low somatization scores and their mothers completed a discussion task, from which observed parenting behavior scores were derived. Skin conductance in adolescents was measured before and during the discussion.

Results: For adolescents with high levels of physiological responses, unadaptive parenting was related to a higher chance of high somatization scores. For low physiologically responsive adolescents, the relation between parenting behavior and somatization was not significant.

Conclusion: Parenting behavior is not univocally related to somatization in adolescents, but the association depends on physiological responses in adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; Interaction; Observation; Parenting behavior; Physiological responses; Somatization.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior*
Child
Female
Galvanic Skin Response
Humans
Male
Parents / psychology*
Psychological Tests
Somatoform Disorders / physiopathology*
Somatoform Disorders / psychology*
Surveys and Questionnaires