Psychosomatic complaints at age 15-16 and later educational achievement in upper secondary school

BACKGROUND: Psychosomatic complaints are common among adolescents, and the reporting has increased in recent decades. Yet, knowledge on the potential consequences of such complaints is scarce. Given the importance of educational success for health throughout life, investigating the relationship between psychosomatic complaints and academic outcomes is important. This study's aim was to investigate the prospective links between psychosomatic complaints at age 15-16 and, firstly, the likelihood of not completing upper secondary school, and secondly, grade point average (GPA) among those who graduated from upper secondary school. METHODS: Data was obtained from Futura01, a national cohort study of Swedish adolescents attending grade 9 in 2017 (n = 5,198). Psychosomatic complaints were measured by self-reports on the frequency of headache, stomach ache, and difficulties to fall asleep, which were summed to an index. Information on graduation and GPA from upper secondary school was based on registry data from 2020-21. Binary and linear regression analyses were performed stratified by sex. Covariates included parental education and country of birth, medication for depression and anxiety, and conduct problems. RESULTS: Higher levels of psychosomatic complaints were prospectively associated with an elevated risk of not completing upper secondary school (males: OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.14; females: OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.16). Among those who graduated from upper secondary school, higher levels of psychosomatic complaints were prospectively associated with lower GPA for males (b=-0.04, 95% CI -0.07, -0.00), but not for females (b=-0.01, 95% CI -0.04, 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Psychosomatic complaints in adolescence may have long-lasting consequences for individuals’ living conditions and health by affecting later educational performance and success. Interventions targeting youth with self-reported mental health issues could positively impact later academic achievements. KEY MESSAGES: • Psychosomatic complaints at age 15-16 are associated with later educational achievement in upper secondary school. • Interventions targeting youth with self-reported mental health issues could positively impact future academic success.