Responsivity/nonresponsivity in psychosomatic disorders.
Tested the hypothesis that gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms are associated with differing psychological styles. Specifically, it was predicted that tendencies toward heightened environmental responsiveness and heightened experiences of urges and affects would be associated with gastrointestinal diseases, whereas affectively reduced environmental responsiveness and muted experiences of urges and affects would be associated with dermatological diseases. Forty adult male Ss, 20 in each disease category, were given an open-ended interview--the basis for the main test of the hypothesis, the Mayman Early Memory Test, and the TAT. Based on the interview material, coders classified the Ss as predicted at levels well beyond chance. Though the data from the other tests did not provide clear-cut evidence, they did offer tentative support for the hypothesis. S responses are presented that highlight the contrast between the two styles.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001143:Arousal; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception