Mind-Body Correlates in Early Adolescence: Insights From Temporomandibular Disorder Pain and Somatic Symptoms.

Background: Previous studies on temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in early adolescence have predominantly featured Western samples, with a focus on mental ill-being.

Objectives: This pioneering study investigated the relationships between TMD pain, somatic symptoms, and both mental well-being and ill-being. It also examined mind-body correlates in Asian young adolescents.

Methods: Participants, aged 14, were enrolled in a public school. They completed a survey that included socio-demographics, the TMD Pain Screener, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Life Goals Questionnaire, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21. Data were analysed using chi-square/Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman's correlation (α = 0.05).

Results: Among the 142 participants (52.8% female), 12.0% presented with TMD pain and 35.2% experienced medium-to-high somatic symptoms. Individuals with TMD pain and moderate-to-high somatic symptoms had significantly higher scores for somatic symptom burden/TMD pain, depression, anxiety and stress, while having substantially lower scores for the presence of life meaning and life satisfaction, compared to those without TMD pain and none/minimal-to-low somatic symptoms. Moderate correlations were observed between TMD pain and somatic symptoms (r_s = 0.40), as well as between somatic symptoms and depression, anxiety and stress (r_s = 0.51 to 0.57). Life satisfaction was negatively correlated with emotional distress (r_s = -0.43 to -0.61).

Conclusions: TMD pain was associated with somatic symptoms but not with emotional distress. The moderate relationships between somatic symptoms and depression, anxiety and stress highlight the concept of somatisation in Asian cultures, even during early adolescence.