Only a limited number of studies have examined the association of conversion disorder (CD) with depression and anxiety in adolescents. Furthermore, no data regarding the association of CD with anxiety sensitivity and perceived social support are available. This study aimed to assess the relationships among psychological characteristics and conversion symptoms in adolescents.

We assessed 50 outpatients, aged 8–18 years, who had been diagnosed with CD and members of a control group using the Child Depression Inventory (CDI), Screen for Child Anxiety-related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Symptoms of CD were assessed using the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ) and Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI).

Compared with controls, adolescents with CD scored higher on the CDI, SCARED, CASI total, CASI physical and cognitive subscales, and MSPSS total and MSPSS family subscale. Multiple regression analysis showed that CDI, CASI total, and CASI cognitive scores predicted the SDQ scores and that CDI and CASI total scores predicted the CSI scores of subjects.

This study suggest that adolescents with CD had poor psychosocial well-being, and depression and global AS and AS cognitive concerns may play a role in the development of conversion symptoms.