Exploring literature on somatic complaints and pain in adolescents with ASD (12-18): A scoping review

Details

Supervisors

Grosbois, Nathalie ; Louvegny, Héloïse

Faculty

Faculté de psychologie, logopédie, sexologie et des sciences de la famille

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences psychologiques, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enAdolescents with autism spectrum disorder report more pain and somatic complaints than their peers (Whitney & Shapiro, 2019). This scoping review aimed to summarize existing research on the prevalence and causes of pain and somatic complaints with or without apparent cause in autistic adolescents (12-18). We also aimed to identify gaps in the literature to open the way for future studies. 37 articles from 9 countries were included. Studies mainly used quantitative cross-sectional designs, although some authors conducted literature reviews and case reports, and male adolescents were generally more represented in the samples. Three main themes emerged from the data: (1) Epidemiology of pain and somatic complaints in adolescents with ASD (2) Etiology of reported symptoms (3) Efficacy of interventions. Findings suggest that gastrointestinal symptoms are the most studied. Results highlight a relationship between GI symptoms, behavioral difficulties and sleep difficulties. In the included articles, pain sensitivity, sex, internalizing symptoms, alexithymia, parental health anxiety and culture have been linked with the pain experience of these adolescents. However, more longitudinal and correlational research is needed to further describe the biopsychosocial processes contributing to these pains and somatic complaints, and to establish causal relationships. As psychological processes can be more plastic than biological or social factors, we recommend that future interventions use psychoeducation, teach coping skills and work on alexithymia to lower the prevalence of somatic complaints in adolescents with ASD.