Family etiology of psychogenic pain: The systems perspectives

A close examination of the causation of psychogenic pain as enuciated by the protagonists of strategic and structural family theories clearly reveal that linear rather than circular logic underlies their conceptualization of etiologic mechanisms and to date there is very little empirical evidence to support their claim of family etiology. It is argued that the strategic perspective on symtom formation is predicated on untestable assumptions. According to the structural family model learning theory is the basis for psychogenic pain in children. The strategic and structural family models are, however, powerful conceptual tools for an understanding of internal family forces that all too often result in the maintenance and perpetuation of pain symptom and pain behaviour.I am deeply grateful to Professor Walters for his help in clarifying my thoughts on this complex topic.