A study conducted by researchers at Hungary's Semmelweis University showed that recurrent abdominal pain in children and adolescents may be accompanied by psychological stress and problems in the school environment, including bullying and peer harassment, especially when symptoms persist for long periods or are accompanied by pain in other parts of the body.
Data Analysis and Psychological Factors
The scientific website "York Alert" reported on Wednesday that researchers analyzed data from 522 students aged 11 to 18 to study the relationship between functional abdominal pain disorders, quality of life, and the surrounding psychological and social factors. The researchers explained that continuous psychological stress, including tension, anxiety, and school problems, may affect the way the nervous system processes pain, which may contribute to the persistence of symptoms or their appearance in different parts of the body, even in the absence of a clear organic cause.
Prevalence of Symptoms and Impact on School Life
The results showed that 80.6 percent of adolescents with these disorders reported pain in two or more body sites, while 54.8 percent stated that their main pain site was outside the abdomen. Headaches, joint and back pain were the most common symptoms, and symptoms persisted for at least one year in more than half of those affected. The study revealed that affected adolescents were more likely to feel pressure due to the abundance of exams, lack of quiet in classrooms, and a sense of unfairness in teachers' treatment, in addition to experiencing social exclusion, mockery, and harassment from peers.
Recommendations and Early Intervention
These students recorded lower levels of quality of life in physical, emotional, social, and academic aspects. Mockery and ridicule were linked to a decline in quality of life, increased school absenteeism, and a higher prevalence of regular painkiller use. Researchers emphasized the importance of comprehensively evaluating recurrent abdominal pain in children and adolescents and not overlooking psychological and social factors when no clear organic cause is found, given the potential impact of persistent pain on daily activity, academic achievement, and quality of life.
They noted that early intervention and providing appropriate support may help improve the condition, which could include psychological support and modifications in the school environment, according to the child's needs. The study results highlight the importance of providing a safe and supportive school environment and paying attention to psychological stress and bullying when evaluating recurrent pain in children and adolescents, while emphasizing that the association of these factors with symptoms does not necessarily mean they are the direct cause.
Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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