The relationships between attachment quality, metacognition, and somatization in adolescents: The mediator role of metacognition

Problem To investigate the associations between attachment quality, metacognition problems, and somatization. Methods One thousand and seven adolescents between the ages of 14-17 were included in the study. They completed the DSM-V Level 2 Somatic Symptoms Scale, the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (short version), the Metacognitions Questionnaire for Children (MCQ-C), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The Spearmen's rank-order correlation test and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the associations between the scales. Findings Correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling indicated that attachment quality is significantly associated with somatic symptom severity, and MCQ-C scores play a partial mediator role in the relationship between attachment quality and somatization. Conclusion Improving metacognitive skills in adolescents with low attachment quality may increase therapeutic success when addressing somatization.