J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 539-544, 1986 0021-9630/86 $3.00 + 0.00 Printed in Great Britain. Pergaraon Journals Ltd. © 1986 Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry. RESEARCH NOTE: TEMPERAMENT AND BEHAVIOUR IN SIX-YEAR-OLDS WITH RECURRENT ABDOMINAL PAIN: A FOLLOW UP I. S. DAVISON, C. FAULLand A. R. NICOL Human Development Unit, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K. Abstract—Dimensions of temperament and behaviour were measured in a group of infant school children with recurrent abdominal pain and in a control group. Children with recurrent abdominal pain were temperamentally more difficult than those without, and in particular, girls were found to have a more irregular temperamental style and boys to be more likely to withdraw in new situations. Temperamental differences were more persistent than the abdominal pain itself. There was little difference behaviourally between the groups. It is hypothesized that abdominal pain represents an interaction between a vulnerable temperamental style and environmental stresses. Keywords: Abdominal pain, temperament INTRODUCTION RECURRENT abdominal pain is a common problem in children. Apley (1975), defining the condition as at least three episodes of incapacitating pain over not less than 3 months, found a prevalence of 10%. FauU and Nicol (1986) found a prevalence of about 25% in their study of a large sample of infant school children, confirming that prevalence is higher in the early school years. This study is a follow up of a sample of their population. Several authors have commented on the strong association of recurrent abdominal pain with emotional problems and certain personality types. Stone and Barbero (1970) studied 102 children with recurrent abdominal pain and found many of their patients to be insecure and sensitive. A typical description of a child by his parents was "a very good child who tries hard to please and is a constant worrier". Many children were able to identify points of stress as precipitants for their pain. Apley (1975) found a raised prevailence of highly strung, fussy and excitable children, and of anxious, timid and apprehensive children amongst a group of 100 children with recurrent abdominal pain, when compared with a control group. Liebman (1978) described 30% of his group of 119 children with recurrent abdominal pain as 'perfectionistic'. It is clear that the psychological aspects of recurrent abdominal pain require further study (Galler, Neustein & Walker, 1980; Nicol, 1982). Faull and Nicol (1986) found associations with psychiatric disorder both at home and at school. There were also associations with social support of the mother, difficulties in settling into school and status of home ownership. Requests for reprints to: Dr A. R. Nicol, Nuffield Psychology and Psychiatry Unit, 1 Tankerville Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AH. Accepted manuscript received 26 April 1985 539