Temperament, emotions and somatic complaints in children: can approach and avoidance temperament help explain somatic complaints in children?

TL;DRAbstract

Previous research has demonstrated that certain temperamental traits may predispose children to experience somatic complaints in children. The current study tested the ability of an approach-avoidance model of temperament to explain somatic complaints in school-age children. It was predicted that (1) avoidance temperament would be positively associated with somatic complaints, and (2) approach temperament would be negatively associated with somatic complaints. One hundred and seventy seven children, aged 8 - 15 years, completed a computer task and were administered self-reports of behavioral inhibition (avoidance), behavioral activation (approach), emotions, and somatic complaints. Parents reported on their child’s approach and avoidance temperament. Results indicate that avoidance temperament significantly explains variability in somatic complaints when child-reports are considered, but this relation is fully mediated by anxiety (for boys only) and negative affect (for girls only). Ap

Chat with Paper

AI Agents for this Paper