Exploring emotional awareness and attachment styles in young patients with somatic symptoms
Somatic Symptoms, Alexithymia and Styles of Attachment: a Cross-sectional Study
This study looks at how emotional awareness and attachment styles affect young people aged 11 to 17 who have physical symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue that don't have clear medical explanations.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 11 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Florence, Firenze and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05666921 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between emotional awareness, attachment styles, and the presence of somatic symptoms in pediatric patients aged 11 to 17. It focuses on understanding how these psychological factors may influence the manifestation of conditions like chronic pain and fatigue, which often lack organic diagnoses. The study will also assess the health costs incurred during the diagnostic phase prior to identifying somatic symptoms, providing insights into clinical markers for early diagnosis and comprehensive patient care.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Italian-speaking adolescents aged 11 to 17 with somatic symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life.
Not a fit: Patients with cognitive or developmental impairments or those with diagnosed organic diseases may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies for young patients suffering from somatic symptom disorder.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study may be novel, previous studies have indicated a connection between psychological factors and somatic symptoms, suggesting potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical condition characterized by somatic symptoms such as recurrent abdominal pain, recurrent vomiting, dyspepsia, psychogenic cough, and chronic functional pain (headache, migraine, musculoskeletal pain) for which an organic cause has been excluded and whose symptom has had a strong impact on the quality of life (presence of the symptom for six months, school absenteeism, social isolation, immobility, psychological distress, difficulty in participating in sports and extracurricular activities, etc.), as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria. * Age between 11 and 17 years * Italian speaking * Patients' and parents' consent Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive and/or developmental impairment * Difficulty in understanding the Italian language * Presence of organic disease diagnosis * Lack of informed consent * Patient who does not meet DSM-5 criteria for somatic symptom disorder Caregiver exclusion criteria: * Cognitive deficits * Difficulty in understanding the Italian language * Lack of informed consent Control group population inclusion criteria: * Age between 11 and 17 years * Adequate knowledge of the Italian language * Consent to participate
Where this trial is running
Florence, Firenze and 1 other locations
- Meyer Children's Hospital — Florence, Firenze, Italy (Recruiting)
- IRCCS Gianna Gaslini — Genova, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Rosanna Martin, MSc — Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS
- Study coordinator: Rosanna Martin, MSc
- Email: rosanna.martin@meyer.it
- Phone: 055 5662475
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.