RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Short stature--the role of intelligence in psychosocial adjustment.
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 25
OP 31
DO 10.1136/adc.75.1.25
VO 75
IS 1
A1 J Gilmour
A1 D Skuse
YR 1996
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/75/1/25.abstract
AB Short children are often described as having psychosocial problems. These reports may be inaccurate as former studies have relied largely on parental report. Psychosocial functioning of short children was assessed with the aim of using them and their peers as informants. Twenty two short (mean (SD) height -2.53 (0.28) SD score) prepubertal children aged between 6 and 11 years were recruited from growth clinics. Comparison children were recruited from each case child's class at school. Cognitive and psychosocial functioning was assessed. Peer relationships were measured using sociometry. There were no significant group differences in terms of peer acceptance, self perception, and social competence. Although cases described themselves as receiving less social support from teachers, no differences were evident in other areas of social support. Little evidence was found to suggest clinic referred prepubertal short children are psychosocially maladjusted. Further analysis revealed cognitive ability was a better predictor than height for most aspects of behavioural and emotional adjustment.