[Prediction of somatization disorders in pre-pubertal girls]

Several studies of female adult populations suggest that somatization problems appear during adolescence and that they are related to behavioural problems during childhood. This study uses Cloninger's personality model to verify the link between personality traits and the beginning of somatization problems in elementary school girls. This model is based on the interaction of three dimensions: novelty seeking, harm avoidance and social reward dependence. Subjects were part of a longitudinal study of the social adjustment of children from Montreal and Val d'Or families. Evaluations of the girls' behaviour in kindergarten were used to establish personality types according to Cloninger's model. The somatization problems were assessed at age ten following interviews with mothers and girls, and ratings by mothers and teachers. The results showed that somatization problems at age ten were more likely when novelty seeking and harm avoidance were high in kindergarten. The kindergarten girls with 'passive-aggressive' or 'explosive-schizoid' personality profiles were more at risk of higher levels of somatization problems at age ten. However, Cloninger's hypothesized link between high levels of somatization problems and the 'histrionic' personality profile was not confirmed.