Correlates of Somatic Symptoms Among African American Males Transitioning From a Public System of Care

Abstract

Exploration of somatic symptoms and their correlates among adolescent and young adult African American males are limited in the empirical literature. In the current study, correlates of somatic symptoms among African American males (n = 74) transitioning from a public system of care, namely, foster care, was explored. Potential correlates assessed included indicators of child maltreatment, approach and avoidance coping strategies, as well as the following emotional and behavioral problems: oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, major depressive disorder, and attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder. Results indicated that meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder was related to increased somatic symptoms. In addition, greater use of seeking social support as a coping strategy was related to fewer somatic symptoms. The findings provide a good foundation for further exploration of individual, situational, and contextual factors that may influence the physiological and psychological stress responses of vulnerable populations of young African American males.

Where’s the BIPOC Blueprint for Healthy Youth Development? The Role of Scientific Omissions in Our Struggle for Science Translation and Racial Equity in the United States

“…This dynamic is particularly damaging for Black youth, for whom damaging deficit narratives perpetuate a cycle of marginalization (Baldridge, 2014 ). We fail to acknowledge that many marginalized youth are likely to receive universal interventions that do not recognize trauma, terror, racism, and other important correlates of their behavioral health (Marsiglia & Booth, 2015 ; Scott & McCoy, 2018 ; McCoy et al, 2016 ), and inversely, that many system-involved youth who could benefit from universal prevention practices, do not have access to such programs (McCoy & McKay, 2006 ).…”

Effects of Methylphenidate on Somatic Symptoms and Brain Functional Connectivity in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Pilot Study

“…In addition, ADHD is mostly associated with poor health outcomes including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, smoking, substance abuse, injury due to accidents, insomnia, suicidality [ 2 ], and increased medical costs [ 3 ]. Although somatic symptoms are not included in the core symptoms of ADHD, subjective health (psychological and somatic) complaints and somatic symptoms are more frequently reported in children with ADHD [ 4 - 7 ]. In the data from a public health survey of children and adolescents in Scania, Sweden, it was documented that students with ADHD presented with subjective health complaints more frequently healthy students did [ 5 ].…”

“…Furthermore, somatic complaints have been associated with emotional disorders in girls and disruptive behavior disorders in boys [ 4 ]. In a review of the public health care system for African American males, somatic symptoms including muscle pain, headaches, and stomach aches were associated with ADHD as well as oppositional defiant disorder [ 7 ]. Somatic symptoms in adults with ADHD result in poor compliance with pharmacotherapy [ 8 ].…”