Specificity Concepts in Japan

Abstract

In this study, the authors discuss whether there are any differences in the acquired factors, such as psychosocial factors, related to the age at the onset of psychosomatic disorders, and whether or not there are any characteristics which can be considered unique to Japanese asthmatic patients. Many firstborns were found in those whose onset age was below 10 or in their teens. In those patients who had the onset of asthma in their 20s or 30s many women suffered problems with their mother-in-law after marriage or with their husbands who were interested only in work. We have also discussed that behind these phenomena, problems of parent-child relationship in early childhood were hidden.

Ethnoepidemiology of postnatal depression

“…In Hong Kong and India, mothers-in-law play a significant role in domestic violence inflicted on married women (Fernandez, 1997; Leung et al , 2002). The mother-in-law relationship is also a common area of conflict for urban Japanese housewives (Ago et al , 1982). In Korea, nearly a third of abused married women ascribed the problem to in-law troubles (Kim & Shim, 1992).…”

Taxonomic Subgroups within Psychosomatic Disease Entities: An Alternative Strategy to the Specificity Approach?

“…At our last ICPM Congress, Ago et al [1982], Gotlschalk [1982], Hawkins [1982], Kimball [ 1982], and Nemiah [ 1982] have re visited specificity theory. My summarizing these contributions into three arguments is probably biased by my interest in taxonomy within disease entities.…”