Psychosocial determinants of irritable bowel syndrome

Table 2 Environmental factors associated with irritable bowel syndrome

Prenatal traumatic events (e.g., nutrition in fetal life)

Early stressful life events (surgery, emotional, physical or sexual abuse)

Upbringing environment (low temperature, affluent childhood social class)

Family function (divorce, death of a parent)

Family history of abdominal pain, bowel dysfunction, inflammatory bowel diseases

Social learning (modeling)

Abuse history either in childhood or during adult life