Pubertal Maturation and Changes in Self-Image in Early Adolescent Finnish Boys

Transitional object use in adolescence: a developmental phenomenon or a sign of problems?

BACKGROUND

Transitional object (TO) use is suggested to be related with various health problems. Prolonged TO use in adolescence is quite common, and research on its associations with health and psychosocial wellbeing is relevant because it does not necessarily represent pathologies in this age group.

AIMS

To investigate the role of transitional phenomena and attachment to an inanimate object in adolescence, possible explanatory variables were studied, including sociodemographic and psychosocial factors and self-image.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 992 subjects (433 boys and 559 girls), mean age 14.5 years (SD = 0.5), who were studying at comprehensive schools in the City of Turku, Finland. Information about the TO use and background data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire. Mental distress and self-esteem were assessed by the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ).

RESULTS

The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that, in the whole study group, significant explanatory factors for the TO use included female gender (p < 0.0001), frequent pain and aches (p = 0.008), and, of the OSIQ sub-scales, low Emotional Health (p = 0.006). For girls, significant explanatory factors for the TO use were pain and aches (p = 0.003) and low Emotional Health (p = 0.002). For boys, the only statistically significant explanatory factor was pain and aches (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The TO may serve as a soothing element for somatoform pain symptoms in adolescence. Identifying of the TO use may help one see an adolescent's possible distress, symptoms of pains, and problems in psychological resilience.