Table 3.
Defecation-specific behaviors identified in the literature
| Behavior | Number of articles referencing/describing the behavior |
|---|---|
| Manifests pain or fear of pain on defecation or urge to defecate | 40 |
| Withholds stool/avoidance of defecation/resists the urge to defecate | 39 |
| Refuses to defecate in toilet (accepts to urinate in toilet)/stool toileting refusal | 16 |
| Refuses to sit on toilet/manifests fear or anxiety in relation to sitting on toilet (in all contexts, even at home) | 16 |
| Retentive posturing/moves in a particular way when urge to defecate | 12 |
| Asks for/waits for/prefers a diaper or pull-up to defecate | 11 |
| Refuses/is reluctant to use school toilet or to use a variety of toilets (accepts toilet at home) | 9 |
| Hides to defecate or on urge to defecate, refuses to defecate in presence of others | 9 |
| Straining/prolonged time needed to have a bowel movement | 9 |
| Denies incontinence/hides soiled underwear | 6 |
| Does not manifest sensation of urge to defecate/denies or ignores urge to defecate | 6 |
| Defecates in a specific place other than toilet after being toilet trained | 5 |
| Not upset by soiling/does not notice incontinence | 4 |
| Manifests fear/resistance of wiping after a bowel movement/soiling | 3 |
| Manifests fear of flushing toilet | 2 |
| Manifests aversion to smell of feces | 1 |
| Manifests fear of feces | 1 |