Mentalization and bonding in chronic pelvic pain patients: a pilot study]

Objectives: The study assesses mentalization (reflective functioning, RF), parental bonding, psychiatric comorbidity, and experiences of violence in chronic pelvic pain patients (CPP). Methods: Twenty-two CPP patients were investigated using SCID I and II as well as the German version of the parental bonding instrument (FEB). Experiences of violence were assessed by semistructured interviews. Adult attachment interviews (AAI) were rated according to the Reflective Functioning Scale (RF Scale). Results: CPP patients showed a lower capacity of mentalization (RF = 2.3) compared to that of healthy individuals (RF 5). Maternal bonding was rated as affectionless control (36.4 %) and as neglectful parenting (31.8 %). 54% of the women reported experiences of violence. Axis I comorbidity was prevalent in 54.5 %, and axis II comorbidity was prevalent in 36.4 %. Conclusions: Further psychoanalytic-psychosomatic research should focus on the low capacity of mentalization, adverse parenting, and experiences of violence in chronic pelvic pain patients.