Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Li, Yawen
Abstract
This study set out to identify any correlation between exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and presence of somatic symptoms in adolescents for the purpose of implementing early intervention for adolescents who present with somatic symptoms. This study utilized data provided by the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and, using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS), identified correlative relationships between the presence of somatic symptoms an ACEs as well as somatic symptoms and demographic variables. While ACEs did not have a significant relationship with somatic symptoms (p = 0.07; 0.06; 0.07; 0.13), several other variables had a significant relationship with somatic symptoms, including race, insurance status, language, bodyweight, and the presence of psychological distress. These findings indicate that racial minorities disproportionately present with somatic symptoms more often than their White counterpoints, suggesting further need for investigation into resource allocation to racial minorities. Further studies would benefit from interviewing adolescents with the goal of identifying exposure to specific ACEs and the presence of somatic symptoms for a better representation of the relationship between these variables.
Recommended Citation
Beaumont, Shannon, "Correlation of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Somatic Symptoms in Adolescents" (2024). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1964.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1964