Specificity of Peptic Ulcer to Intense Oral Conflicts

Abstract

Franz Alexander''s theory of emotional specificity served as the theoretical background for the present study. The hypotheses tested were that individuals with peptic ulcer could be differentiated from individuals with nongastrointestinal psychosomatic disorders in that the former would have an intense conflict over oral-dependent needs or oral-aggressive wishes. To test these hypotheses, an experimental group of 20 cases of peptic ulcer and a control group of 20 mixed non-gastrointestinal psychosomatic cases were administered the Rorschach test and the Blacky pictures. The Rorschach was scored according to the Affect Index of De Vos, a system based on the content alone. To determine the statistical significance of the differences between the 2 groups on the above tests the Fisher-Yates test of significance in 2 x 2 tables was used. The 2 groups were not significantly different for the oral-dependency conflict but they were different at a moderate level of confidence for the oral-aggression conflict. This major finding as well as some corollary findings suggested the following conclusions: A strong oral-dependency conflict is not specific to peptic ulcer. A conflict over oral-aggressive wishes tends to be more common and intense in peptic ulcer patients. Some psychosomatic cases other than peptic ulcer have oral-aggression conflicts that are just as common or intense. Finally it is emphasized that this study should not be construed as disproving the theory of emotional specificity. Rather it is hoped that the study serves as a stimulus for much needed research designed to test the validity of the theory.