Functional Somatic Syndromes (FSS) in Children and Adolescents: Conceptual, Measurement and Treatment Issues
Abstract
Unspecific somatic health complaints and symptoms are common in children and adolescents, varying on a continuum of severity. When persistent and impairing, they are often referred to as functional somatic syndromes (FSS). The overarching objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the pediatric literature in relation to conceptual, assessment, and treatment issues for youth presenting with FSS. Clinical recommendations are outlined including addressing potential feasibility and barrier issues for families presenting to medical and mental health services. Assessment and treatment issues are further discussed in context of two recent psychotherapy trials conducted with children and older age adolescents (aged from 7 to 19 years). Finally, we address ongoing research gaps in this field with view to strengthen the evidence base in the assessment and treatment of youth presenting with FSS.
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The importance of a thorough assessment and psychoeducation has been highlighted as an essential first step in management of FSS both in adults and youth.
“The importance of a thorough assessment and psychoeducation has been highlighted as an essential first step in management of FSS both in adults and youth [8, 84, 85].”
From Feasibility of group-based acceptance and commitment therapy for adolescents (AHEAD) with multiple functional somatic syndromes: A pilot study (2020) · cites this paper as [8]
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References 64 · Cited by 15
- Authors
- Kangas, M., Kallesoe, K. H., & Rask, C. U.
- Affiliations
- Macquarie University (AU)
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatic, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Aarhus University (DK)
- Venue
- Zeitschrift für Psychologie
- Publisher
- Hogrefe Publishing Group
- Published
- 2020-05
- Volume
- 228
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 81-92
- ISSN
- 0044-3409 (ISSN-L)
- 2190-8370
- 2151-2604
- OpenAlex
- W3027847571
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 64
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 1.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Zeitschrift für Psychologie (publishedVersion)
- Scopus (Elsevier) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
- Keywords
- functional somatic syndromes, children, adolescents, somatic symptoms, psychotherapy, assessment, treatment, family barriers, mental health services, medical services, research gaps
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