Boga, Virginia (4/09) Ataque de nervios: a defense against
anger? (Paul Ramirez, Ph.D.; Christopher Christian, Ph.D.; Joan Duncan, Ph.D.)
The present study examined the role that
anger plays in the development of ataque de nervios , a culture-bound syndrome
commonly observed in Puerto Rican and Dominican females. While previous studies
have emphasized the comorbidity of ataque de nervios with psychiatric
disorders, such as panic disorder, the current study sought to understand the
underlying dynamics that lead to the development of this syndrome. This study
hypothesized that women who suffer from ataque de nervios suppress their anger,
due to the anxiety that arises in an effort to avoid conflict. It was also
expected that these women would present histrionic tendencies, and higher
levels of anxiety and somatization. A correlation between frequency of ataque
de nervios and suppression of anger was also expected. Finally, it was
hypothesized that lower levels of acculturation, would correlate with higher
levels of ataques de nervios . A structured interview and battery of
inventories were administered to a sample of 64 women of Puerto Rican or
Dominican descent, ranging in age from 18 to 65. The results demonstrated that
women's endorsement of the syndrome was not a clinically significant measure.
Out of the 33 women who did not endorse experiencing ataque de nervios , 98% of
them actually suffered from sufficient symptoms to qualify for the illness. It
also indicated that out of the 31 women who did endorse suffering from the
syndrome, 45% of them did not have sufficient symptoms to qualify for ataque de
nervios. The results also displayed that the women who suffered from ataque de
nervios, suppressed their anger, but contrary to expectation, these women
scored higher on expression of verbal and physical anger, and did not attempt
to control their anger. There also was a high correlation between suppression
of anger and frequency of ataque de nervios . The analysis also yielded
significant results demonstrating the women who suffer from ataque de nervios
scored higher on anxiety and somatic symptoms. Finally, contrary to
expectations, the women who suffered from ataque de nervios scored lower on
Histrionic tendencies. Practical implications and directions for future
research were discussed.
