This study investigated the psychological factors associated with Recurrent Abdominal Pain of Childhood (R.A.P.). Eighty-three children, 48 with R.A.P. and 35 with appendicitis were tested.
Four hypotheses ’clusters’, current in the psychosomatic literature, were examined: (a) Social maturity, adjustment, and individuation, which were measured by the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, the Bristol Social Adjustment Guide, and the Self-Identification Form of the Role Repertory Technique; (b) ’Cognitive Factors’, namely General Mental Ability, Field-Dependence, and Alexithymia. These were measured using the Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices. The Children’s Embedded Figures Test. The Rod and Frame Test, the Self-Identification Form of the Role Repertory Technique and the Family Relations Test: (c) The presence of personality ’dimensions’ related to ’preferential conditioning’, in line with the Eysenckian explanation for psychosomatic disorders, was tested using The Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire; and (d) Family Dynamics, particularly the functioning of Minuchin et al.’s (1978) ’psychosomatic family’. This was examined using the Family Relations Test, and also a combination of present test results which it is suggested measure ’enmeshment’. It was expected: (i) that children with R.A.P. would be less socially mature, adjusted and ’individuated’ than controls; (ii) children with R.A.P. would be more ’field-dependent’ and ’alexithymie’ than controls; (iii) there would be no difference between the two groups on Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire performance; and, (iv) children with R.A.P., would belong to ’psychosomatic’ families.
Using discriminant function analysis, only the combined measures of ’enmeshment’ were found to discriminate significantly between the groups, children with R.A.P. being more ’enmeshed’.
Results are discussed in terms of Minuchin et al.’s model, and suggestions made for further research and intervention.