Somatization, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Pain

Objective We examined whether somatization of symptoms worsens the association between fatigue and quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic pain. Methods Fifty-three girls and 16 boys with chronic pain (M-age = 13.58, SD = 2.70) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) scale to measure quality of life, the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and the Children's Somatization Inventory Revised. Results We found significant main effects for all types of fatigue (general, sleep/rest, and cognitive fatigue) and higher somatization, which all significantly predicted lower total quality of life. However, these results evidenced only significant interactions between cognitive fatigue and somatization on total quality of life, including physical health and school functioning. Participants with both high somatization and high cognitive fatigue reported lower total quality of life, physical health, and school functioning. On the other hand, low somatization buffered the effects of cognitive fatigue on total quality of life, physical health, and school functioning. Conclusions The results of our study highlight the importance of addressing and decreasing somatization in children and adolescents with chronic pain, which may decrease the likelihood of higher cognitive fatigue predicting lower quality of life.