Conditioned aversions in pediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Pediatric cancer patients experiencing nausea/vomiting in anticipation of chemotherapy were studied in comparison to a matched group of patients with no history of anticipatory nausea/vomiting (ANV). Patients with ANV were characteristically more anxious and tended to screen sensory information less selectively than patients without ANV. Parents of patients with ANV relied more heavily on threat of punishment and less on modeling and reassurance when managing their children in fearful situations than did parents of patients with no ANV. ANV was related to an increased incidence of experimentally conditioned taste aversions. The contribution of patient variables to the prediction of ANV and implications for research are discussed.