Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate parental acceptancerejection/control and interpersonal difficulties in patients with conversion
disorder. It was hypothesized that: the patients with conversion disorder
will differ from those with general medical conditions on parental
acceptance rejection and interpersonal difficulties; there is relationship
between parental acceptance rejection and interpersonal difficulties. A
sample of 51 patients with conversion disorder and 50 patients with
general medical conditions was recruited from five different teaching
public sector hospitals in Lahore. Adult parental acceptance –rejection/
control Questionnaire- short form (Adult PARQ/control, Rohner, 2005)
and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-32, Horowitz, Alden,
Wiggins, & Pincus, 2000) were used for assessment. Patients with
conversion disorder reported more neglecting attitude from their mothers
and were significantly more vindictive/self-centered, non-assertive,
overly-accommodating, and cold/distant compared to those with general
medical conditions. Parental neglect and undifferentiated rejection had
positive relationship with dominating and self-sacrificing behavior in
patients. Perceived maternal rejection / control had positive relationship
with interpersonal problems in patients. Perceived maternal neglect and
interpersonal problems i.e. being cold/distant and over-accommodating
attitudes were associated with conversion disorder. Implications of the
finding for parents, health professionals and policy makers are discussed
in the context of Pakistani culture.
