Children with Somatic Symptoms Disorders and Disruptive Behavior Disorder: Which is the Role of Anger to Caregivers?

Abstract

Introduction

The quality of adult-infant interactions represents a critical context in which child adaptation problems could evolve, and child psychopathology could develop. Literature has investigated the role of attachment to caregivers, nevertheless, there is a paucity of studies on middle-childhood and early adolescence in patients with somatic symptoms disorders and disruptive behavior disorders.

Objective

This study investigates the attachment to caregivers in children with somatic symptoms disorders and disruptive behavior disorders, focusing on the role of Anger to mothers and fathers.

Aims

The aims are to verify the presence of: – high frequency of insecure attachment;

– an overrepresentation of attachment disorganization;

– high levels of Anger to caregivers.

Method

Fifty-six patients with somatic symptoms disorders, and 42 patients with disruptive behavior disorders, aged from 8 to 15, are administered the child attachment interview.

Results

Findings show: – Insecure attachment in more than half of the patients;

– a significant presence of disorganized attachment with respect to both parents;

– higher levels of anger to father in children with somatic symptoms disorders.

Conclusion

Considering the attachment to have a regulatory function, the knowledge of the different attachment strategies in middle-childhood and early adolescence may enhance our understanding and improve the management and the treatment of patients with somatic symptoms disorders and disruptive behavior disorders.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.