The study found that adults with unexplained chest pain were more likely to have a past history of childhood emotional/verbal abuse (20.8 percent) and physical abuse (16.7 percent) compared to adults with no unexplained chest pain. Rates of sexual abuse were found to be comparable between the two groups of adults. The study also found that no significant differences existed in the demographic characteristics of the two groups, however persons with unexplained chest pain had a higher incidence of depression. This study investigated whether the existence of past childhood physical, sexual, and emotional abuse affected later incidences of unexplained chest pain in adults. Data for the study were obtained two surveys that included people with irritable bowel syndrome and/or functional dyspepsia and a comparison group of individuals who had not had chest pain for the previous 12 months. Statistical analyses were used to compare the rates of childhood physical, sexual, and emotional abuse between the two groups. The findings indicate that rates of childhood abuse were significantly higher in individuals with unexplained chest pain compared to healthy persons. Implications for future research are discussed. Tables and references