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.