Analysis of Subjective Minor Physical Symptoms and Common Behavioral Problems among Adolescents: Use for the Screening of Adolescents at Risk

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the criteria for the screening of adolescents at risk. Four hundred and three adolescents (190 males and 213 females) were asked to complete questionnaires about their subjective minor physical symptoms and common behavioral problems. In the second stage of the study, screened adolescents and their parents were interviewed. Data were analyzed statistically using the Hayasi's quantification method of the second type and Pearson's correlation analysis in order to find out the relationships between these symptoms and other risk factors relating to their negative health states. The results indicated that there were some gender related differences of criteria in relation to the number and the type of symptoms and/or problems to identify adolescents at risk. Notably, in male adolescents, focus should be made on the type rather than the number of symptoms and/or problems to be considered, particularly headaches, stuttering, dizziness and so on. On the other hand, female subjects showed no specific symptoms and/or problems, but the case of having more than four symptoms and/or problems was significantly related to the female adolescents at risk. Case studies suggested that adolescents with major psychiatric disorder, e.g. neurosis and ulcerative colitis, showed less minor symptoms and/or common problems than the rest of the subjects.