Abstract
Childhood exposure to trauma has been associated with increased rates of somatic symptoms (SS), which may contribute to diminished
daily functioning. One hundred and sixty-one children residing at a residential treatment home who had experienced neglect
and/or abuse were administered the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC), the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children,
and the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). Primary caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Two composite measures
of SS were formed to represent both child- and caregiver-rated SS. Over 95% of children endorsed at least one SS on the child-rated
measure. Children who had experienced sexual abuse had higher rates of SS relative to children who had not. Child-rated SS
were highly correlated with the CDI total score and the TSCC subscales of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, dissociation,
and anger. The TSCC anxiety subscale mediated the relationship between sexual abuse and child-rated SS.
daily functioning. One hundred and sixty-one children residing at a residential treatment home who had experienced neglect
and/or abuse were administered the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC), the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children,
and the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). Primary caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Two composite measures
of SS were formed to represent both child- and caregiver-rated SS. Over 95% of children endorsed at least one SS on the child-rated
measure. Children who had experienced sexual abuse had higher rates of SS relative to children who had not. Child-rated SS
were highly correlated with the CDI total score and the TSCC subscales of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, dissociation,
and anger. The TSCC anxiety subscale mediated the relationship between sexual abuse and child-rated SS.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10578-012-0289-y
- Authors
- Brittany B. Kugler, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Marlene Bloom, The Children’s Home, Inc., Tampa, FL, USA
- Lauren B. Kaercher, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, 800 6th Street South, Box 7523, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
- Tatyana V. Truax, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, 800 6th Street South, Box 7523, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
- Eric A. Storch, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development
- Online ISSN 1573-3327
- Print ISSN 0009-398X