Social class and psychosomatic illness.

In six diseases considered psychosomatic (asthma, angina pectoris, migraine, duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis and anorexia nervosa), two factors have been studied: social background and social mobility. For none of the first five has any influence of social status on the disease been demonstrated. This means that social learning (norms and values) does not influence the disease. The psychological conflict is rooted earlier in life, before formative learning takes place. For anorexia nervosa, on the other hand, there is a marked difference. Social status plays a significant role, especially middle-class values, those of sexuality being the most important.