Measurements of stress and coping among school-aged children with and without recurrent abdominal pain.

Theoretical support, but little empirical evidence confirms recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) as a psychosomatic response of children to stressors in their environment. The differences between children with and without RAP in appraising their own stressors and coping abilities were examined. Of 250 8-12 year olds, 25 (10%) experienced recurrent abdominal pain. An asymptomatic comparison group consisted of 25 children matched for age and gender with the RAP group. Mean total stress scores were significantly higher in the RAP group than the comparison group. Mean coping scores were lower in the RAP group, but not statistically significant. Differences in specific stressors and coping strategies between groups were examined. Prevention and treatment of psychosomatic symptoms requires changing the stressor or changing the methods that children use to cope with stressors that cannot be changed.