NCJ Number
210251
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 27-38
Date Published
2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether irritable bowel syndrome in a subgroup of patients was part of a cluster of psychosomatic symptoms related to childhood sexual abuse.
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by chronic gastrointestinal symptoms without a demonstrable physical cause. The final study sample consisted of 105 patients with a primary diagnosis of a gastrointestinal disorder. Of these, 29 were diagnosed with IBS. Medical testing established that there was no demonstrable physical cause for the symptoms. The IBS group, along with the other groups with a gastrointestinal disorder, were administered the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90. IBS was associated with elevated rates of reported childhood sexual abuse and psychosomatic symptoms, compared to groups with other inflammatory bowel disease and general gastrointestinal disorders. The IBS subjects also reported more extrasensory/paranormal experiences than the other groups; however, since only 37.9 percent of IBS patients reported childhood sexual abuse, this is only one of many possible etiological factors that contribute to IBS. Most likely, there are numerous etiological pathways to IBS, and they most likely interact with each other. Study limitations are noted, and suggestions are offered for future research. 1 table and 20 references