[Childhood and child rearing in psychosomatic patients].

Psychosomatic out-patients (n = 374) were investigated by means of a questionnaire. Data covering pre- and postnatal problems, early childhood and puberty, upbringing and current circumstances were obtained prior to the anamnestic interview. Results were compared with healthy subjects (n = 50) and, within the sample, with a diagnostic sorting into categories, namely the neurotically, functionally and psychosomatically ill. The results show that similar perinatal conditions exist in the healthy and the ill. In the ill we observed a lifelong problem with personal relationships. Their upbringing had been notably characterised by the use of physical force, imposed standards of good behavior and cleanliness, that of the healthy subjects by music and playing.