Adolescent mental health, attachment characteristics, and unexplained chest pain: a case–control study

OBJECTIVES: Psychological factors may be the underlying causes in unexplained chest pain (UCP). Chest pain symptom may influence the emotional status and peer relationships of the children and adolescents negatively. However, the number of studies focussing on the aetiology and consequences of the adolescent UCP are still limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships among psychological problems, attachment characteristics, and the UCP in a group of adolescents.

METHODS: Seventy-three adolescents with UCP and seventy-one healthy adolescents were included in the study. The adolescents completed the short form of Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (s-IPPA), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while their parents completed the parental form of the SDQ.

RESULTS: Contrary to expectations, there was no significant interaction between total parental attachment levels and UCP in the adolescents with UCP. There were significant correlations between the attachment problems and total difficulties score of SDQ. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that higher emotional and conduct problems and lower prosocial characteristics predict the UCP in adolescents, significantly.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that emotional/behavioural problems and lower prosocial behaviour scores are associated with UCP. However, further studies are needed for better understanding about the relationships between the UCP and attachment quality.