Early History Variables in Predicting Surgical Success for Intractable Duodenal Ulcer Patients

This study is concerned with the reported early experiences with parents of intractable duodenal ulcer patients, all male veterans. Rated life history variables are used to compare surgical successes and failures. The method for obtaining ratings on the variables was the use of a specially devised research-oriented interview found to yield satisfactory reliability. One variable, Displays of Affection from Mother, met the criterion of significance, and maintained it through replicated experiments. This variable significantly differentiated between surgical successes and failures those patients previously unpredictable from cross-sectional study.