engleski

Relation between somatization vs. peer acceptance and aggressiveness

There is a high frequency of physical symptoms in childrens population. Somatization is one of the best indicators of psychopathology that occurs in primary pediatric health care (Campo & Fritsch, 1994). Garber and associates (1991) established the highest frequency of physical symptoms of headache, lack of energy, aching muscles and abdominal problems. Children who somatise have lower self-esteem and are more anxious and depressive, thus the assumption of this research is that such children also have a lower sociometric status. Knowing how accepted a child is within a group of its peers is also important for defining the necessary interventions. Bad relations with peers could indicate the presence of other problems in a child. Unacceptance in a group of peers is connected with aggressive behavior, although aggressiveness alone does not necessarily have to result in rejection (Vasta & ass., 1998). The aim of the research was to examine the sociometric status of children who are experiencing some of the somatizational difficulties (headache, abdominal pain etc.), and to examine the relationship between somatization and aggressiveness. 150 students of 5th grade in 3 primary schools have participated in the research. The examinees have filled in the following scales: Scale of physical symptoms of anxiety (SOMA ; Vulic- Prtoric, 2004), Scale of aggressiveness (AG ; Kerestes, 1999) and sociometric technique. Correlations and variance analysis have been used for data analysis. Data analysis gave a negative correlation between somatization and sociometric status. The connection between aggressiveness and somatization has not been established. The practical value of the research results is in drawing teachers attention on children with an internalized problem such as somatization, on their status in the class and on what needs to be done for improving that status.

somatization; aggressiveness; peer acceptance

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