The Psychosocial Risk Factors of Low Back Pain in 10–13-Year-Old Children

Abstract

Research background. Even 70% of population in industrialized countries report low back pain (LBP). LBP usually appears in early adolescence, and it is as common in late adolescence as in adulthood. Low back pain reported in childhood is a predictor of LBP in adulthood. It is widely accepted that back pain is a multidimensional disorder with physical, lifestyle and psychosocial factors related to the development and maintenance of adolescent back pain. So far, no definitive conclusion has been made on the nature and interaction of these factors. The aim of the research was to measure the prevalence of LBP and define the relationship among psychosocial factors and back pain. Research methods. The study included 193 respondents: 103 girls and 90 boys aged from 11 to 13 years of age. We conducted a cross-sectional study using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) (Goodman, 1997) to assess psychosocial factors. The prevalence of back pain was assessed by a questionnaire. Research results. The life time prevalence of back pain is 38.9%. Girls (46.6%) experience back pain more often than boys (30%). The assessment of psychosocial factors identified that majority of children 73.6% had no difficulties. Psychosocial difficulties were more common among boys (18.8%) than girls (7.8%). Emotional problems were assessed in 15% of respondents and peer problems in 31.6%. Conclusions. Less than half of children have experienced low back pain at least once in their life. Girls experienced back pain more often than boys. The prevalence of back pain is increasing with age. Reliable evidence was obtained that children who experience, or are likely to experience, psychosocial problems suffer from back pain more frequently.

Keywords: children, low back pain, psychosocial factors.