Parental Neglect, Negative Self-Esteem, Emotional Instability and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Somatic Symptoms

Abstract

Present study aimed to explore relationship between parental neglect, negative self-esteem, emotional instability and depressive symptoms in adolescents with somatic symptoms. Hypotheses were based on two models i.e., (a) parental neglect, negative self-esteem, emotional instability will likely to predict depressive symptoms in adolescents and (b) parental neglect, negative self-esteem, emotional instability and depressive symptoms will likely to predict somatic symptoms in adolescents. A sample of 150 adolescents, who were already diagnosed with somatic symptoms disorders, was recruited from different public hospitals. The mean age of the sample was 15.59 (SD=1.69). Screening for Somatoform Symptoms Scale (SOMS-7; Reif & Hiller, 2003), Personality Assessment Questionnaire (Rohner, 2004) and Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977) were used to measure somatic symptoms, negative self-esteem, emotional instability and depressive symptoms respectively. Results revealed significant positive relationship between parental neglect, negative self-esteem, emotional instability, depressive symptoms and somatic symptoms. Negative self-esteem, parental neglect and emotional instability emerged as significant predictors of depressive symptoms whereas depressive symptoms, emotional instability and negative self-esteem emerged as significant predictors of somatic symptoms in adolescents.