Shyness as a Risk-Factor for Somatic Complaints Among Norwegian Adolescents

The associations between shyness, school-related stress, social support and somatic complaints, were assessed in a sample of 501 pupils from two secondary schools in Norway. The main finding from this cross-sectional study revealed a positive significant association between shyness and somatic complaints. Findings also showed a significant positive association between perceived school-related stress and somatic complaints, while there was a negative relationship between emotional support from teachers and somatic complaints. Girls reported a significantly higher degree of somatic complaints than boys did. No significant differences between the genders were found in level of reported shyness.